Israel freezes ties with the UN body

Israel has suspended cooperation with UNESCO a day after the United Nations cultural body passed a resolution that sharply criticised Israeli policies around the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, while supposedly rejecting Jewish ties to the holy site in occupied East Jerusalem.

The resolution condemned Israel for restricting Muslims access to the site, and for aggression by police and soldiers. It also referred to Israel as an "occupying power".

Israel and the United States denounced the decision.

"Israel is furious about this resolution by UNESCO because it essentially nullifies any Jewish connection to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound," said Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith, reporting from the Occupied East Jerusalem.

"The resolution does assert Jerusalem is holy to the three monotheistic religions - Judaism, Islam and Christianity - but there is a special section in the resolution that says al-Aqsa Mosque compound is sacred only to Muslims.

"It does not mention that it is sacred to Jews as well. This is what infuriated the Israeli government."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Thursday that UNESCO has lost its legitimacy by adopting this resolution.