Mini-breakthrough for Israel, Palestinians on Jerusalem’s Old City brokered by US, Russia
PARIS Israel has agreed to allow a mission from UNESCO, the U.N.s cultural arm, to visit sites within the Old City of Jerusalem starting May 19, a small victory that carried big hopes for those hoping to end the deadlock between Israelis and Palestinians.
Israel told UNESCOs executive board on Tuesday that it also has agreed to take part in a Paris meeting of experts next month on the Mughrabi Ascent, an entrance to the disputed holy site in Jerusalems Old City revered by Jews and Muslims.
In turn, the Palestinians will postpone five resolutions condemning Israels occupation of the West Bank. The resolutions wont be revived until the next executive board meeting in September.
The agreement represented a mini-breakthrough on cultural issues by two parties whose fierce differences have kept the world on edge.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israel-to-allow-unesco-mission-to-visit-jerusalems-old-city-amid-tensions-with-palestinians/2013/04/23/e6e05a56-ac1a-11e2-9493-2ff3bf26c4b4_story.html