The Western Wall Plaza in the heart of the old city of Jerusalem is arguably the holiest site in the world. In a proximity important to three great religions, people have been allowed to practice the beliefs freely since it fell into Israeli control in June 1967.

This week, UNESCO will vote on a resolution that effectively abrogates Jewish and Christian history. In an effort to denigrate Israel, the organisation will call for sanctions against the Jewish state. And it is this clear divide between the reality of pluralism as opposed to the world of vicious political or diplomatic manipulations that brought me to question:

‘What else does the world not want to hear about Israel?’.

With incredible timing, this morning I came across three seemingly unrelated pieces of news. Individually, they may be interesting. Together, they reveal a society in Israel that is bubbling, at least partially integrated, and continually struggling to improve despite of all the surrounding external threats. For example: –

Let me deliberately start with some news from the military. The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) has just completed its latest and largest programme to induct people with special needs. In the past few days, 80 young recruits finished a basic training course and are starting to find their way to their designated units.

Then there is the contentious issue as to how Israel treats Palestinians. Now I am not going to boast that all is rosy. However, I can say that this week, I will be starting with a new client who may claim that he is a Palestinian. And this video clip presents a whole different take to what is reported in places like the New York Times and similar. War is created through distrust, while on the ground Israel is doing much to break down barriers with Palestinians.

Number three on my list is actually a set of three women: Miriam Banki, Adenko Sabhat Haimovich and Esther Tapeta Gradi. Not exactly household names. All three ladies were  appointed as judges a couple of weeks ago, not something you would see in most other Middle Eastern countries.

And now look again. Banki’s teenage daughter was murdered last year, when she marched in a gay a parade. There was mass condemnation at the outrage, and this “promotion” must also be seen in that context. In contrast, Haimovich and Gardi were born in Ethiopia. And for all the struggles of the community which has emigrated from there, they represent the progress towards integration that has been made over the decades, and the more that still needs to be done.

Yes, Israeli society is not perfect. However what these stories and anecdotes illustrate is that UNESCO’s resolution today is based on one big fabrication. Is it not ironical, sad and shaming that the leading global agency for cultural integration is promoting a modern form of that classic hatred, known as anti-Semitism?