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Israel said on Monday it is working to thwart a Palestinian proposal to a United Nations body to recognize the Jerusalem site of the Western Wall as a Muslim holy site.
UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency that is responsible, among others, for declaring world heritage sites, will discuss the bid on Tuesday.
The proposal was presented by six Arab countries on behalf of the Palestinians, the Ynet news website reported.
Israel's Foreign Ministry dubbed the move "a distortion of reality and a falsification of historical facts," adding that its director Dore Gold is "actively working to thwart the underhanded maneuver."
"This is a clear endeavor to distort history, in order to erase the connection between the Jewish people and its holiest site, and create a false reality," a statement by the ministry read.
The ministry added it will "engage with friendly countries and heads of UNESCO" in order to thwart the bid from passing.
Israel is concerned the bid may pass, as many members of the committee are considered pro-Palestinian.
Jewish worshippers hold the Western Wall one of the remnants of the second Jewish Temple, which was destroyed around 70 AD, and it is one of the holiest Jewish sites of prayer.
The Western Wall lays at the foothill of the al-Aqsa compound, viewed by Jews as Temple Mount, the location of the two holy temples and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, from where the Islamic prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven.
The current wave of violence between Israeli Jews and Palestinians started with daily clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces around the al-Aqsa compound.
Jews are allowed to visit but not pray at the compound, but rightwing Jewish extremists and hardline politicians have said they wish to change the current situation and allow Jews to pray there.
Palestinians charge Israel is trying to change the status quo understandings, reached after Israel conquered east Jerusalem in 1967, and take over it.
Clashes soon spread throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters, and a wave of attacks by lone wolf Palestinians claimed the lives of nine Israelis in the past weeks.
More than 40 Palestinians have died, some in clashes with security forces, and others who allegedly committed or tried to commit attacks on Israelis.
Israel occupied the West Bank and east Jerusalem territories, home to more than 2.5 million Palestinians, in the 1967 Mideast War.
The Palestinians seek to establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip territories, and hold east Jerusalem to be the future capital of the Palestinian state.
