Belgian carnival may lose UN recognition amid anti-Semitism
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The U.N.'s cultural agency is considering possibly removing the recognition of a Belgium carnival as intangible cultural heritage following accusations of anti-Semitism during a parade.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay say Friday it's the agency's duty "to be vigilant and uncompromising regarding such occurrences" at the Aalst Carnival.
Jewish organizations and European authorities condemned as anti-Semitic caricatures on a parade float that featured puppets of Jews earlier this month.
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UNESCO representatives have decided to put the issue on the agenda of the next meeting of the Committee that makes decisions on the cultural heritage list in December in Colombia. A removal decision would be a first since the 2003 Convention that created the label.
The Aalst Carnival has been on the UNESCO cultural heritage list since 2010.