Look Out! UNESCO Is On The Loose In Jerusalem

The LA Times reports that Google unveils virtual tours of Stonehenge, Jerusalem, other 'world wonders':

If your budget is too tight to actually stroll along the banks of the Seine or trek through Jerusalem, Google is now offering a virtual alternative -- digital tours of famous sites across the world.

...The U.N. cultural agency UNESCO and the World Monuments Fund are partnering with the company to provide information about the treasured spots. Videos, photographs and interactive models also spangle the site; people can submit snapshots of the famous places for possible inclusion on the website as well.

So it's a product of the UNESCO World Heritage Center--so what could go wrong?

Well, for starters: let's see how UNESCO denigrates the Jewish connection to Jerusalem:

As a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem has always been of great symbolic importance. Among its 220 historic monuments, the Dome of the Rock stands out: built in the 7th century, it is decorated with beautiful geometric and floral motifs. It is recognized by all three religions as the site of Abraham's sacrifice. The Wailing Wall delimits the quarters of the different religious communities, while the Resurrection rotunda in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses Christ's tomb.

So according to UNESCO:

• The Dome of the Rock has religious significance--for all 3 religions (Who knew!?).
• The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has religious significance--for Christians (they got one right)
• The Wailing Wall--is a wall.

Having UNESCO in charge of the world's sites is a truly scarey thought, considering the amateurish nature of this part of the site.

UNESCO just continues to underwhelm.

Technorati Tag: Israel and Jerusalem and UNESCO.