Israel cancels planned visit by UNESCO delegation

The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Monday cancelled a planned visit by a UNESCO delegation to Jerusalem due to the efforts of Palestinian factions to politicize it, local media reported. The ministry said the Palestinians are trying to turn this visit into a "fact-finding mission of Israel's moves in Jerusalem. " In statements to Xinhua, a well-placed source said "the delegation's visit has been postponed." "This was supposed to be a professional visit but the Palestinians have influenced the delegation and turned it into a political visit," he said. The delegation of UNESCO, the UN's cultural and educational organization, announced earlier that the planned visit will include inspection of the preservation of holy sites and World Heritage sites in the old city of Jerusalem. In April, Israel struck a deal with UNESCO to allow the world organization to examine the preservation of structures in the old city. Israel also called on the organization to postpone several resolutions against Tel Aviv.