Israel and the UN have not been what one could call “chummy” in recent history. And they’re not likely to grow any closer after today, either.

According to the BBC, UNESCO, the self-proclaimed “‘intellectual’ agency of the United Nations” released a statement on Jerusalem’s premiere piece of real estate “known to Jews as the Temple Mount and Haram al-Sharif to Muslims.”

While the statement acknowledged that the piece of property was important to Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike, it went on to call it only by the Muslim name, signaling that Muslims hold the primary claim to the land.

To say the Jews are livid over this development is a bit of an understatement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the following:

“The UNESCO theater of the absurd continues.

Today that organization adopted another delusional decision stating that the Jewish People have no connection to the Temple Mount or the Western Wall. Even if they do not read the Bible, I would suggest that UNESCO members visit the Arch of Titus in Rome. On it one can see what the Romans brought back to Rome after they destroyed and looted the Second Temple on the Temple Mount 2,000 years ago. There, engraved on the Arch of Titus, is the seven-branched menorah that is the symbol of the Jewish People and, I remind you, is also the symbol of the Jewish state today. Soon, UNESCO will say that the Emperor Titus engaged in Zionist propaganda.

To say that Israel has no connection to the Temple Mount and the Western Wall is like saying that China has no connection to the Great Wall of China or that Egypt has no connection to the pyramids. …

But I believe that historical truth is stronger and that truth will prevail. And today we are dealing with the truth.”

Undoubtedly, the individuals who made this statement are aware of the historical backing of which Netanyahu speaks.

But what about the average citizen? In the United States, for example, only 12 percent of students are proficient in U.S. History. It’s hard to believe that they would be better acquainted with ancient history.

If we fail to make history a priority for the next generation, will they be in danger of having agenda-driven organizations (the UN or otherwise) pull the wool over their eyes and cause them to swallow ideas without question or critical inquiry?

Image Credit: David Shankbone (cropped) bit.ly/1E6HPMf