Ammon News - AMMAN (Petra) – Jordan has written to the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO, the International Motor Sports Association, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and a number of countries asking for rerouting a Ferrari roadwhich was scheduled to take to the streets of the old city of Jerusalem between June 13-14. The efforts have apparently been successful as the Ferrari1 car has been moved out of occupied East Jerusalem.

In his letters to the organisations and his counterparts in a number of countries, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh warned of the perils of organising the motor race in Arab East Jerusalem, which could underscore Israel's occupation of Jerusalem and imply international recognition of Israel's sovereignty in the holy city.

He said the world community is unanimous that East Jerusalem is occupied land and that organising such an event in the city would contravene international resolutions.

Further, the letters warned that the enormous noise from race car engines would affect the old walls of Jerusalem in the short and long term, and cause long-term damage to the cultural heritage of the city.

In a reply, UNESCO's international heritage director said the cultural organisation had written to the Israeli government reminding it of its legal obligations under international conventions regarding Jerusalem and the protection of its heritage.