The delegation’s comments come on the heels of a report this week from a U.N. panel formed to improve relations between Muslim and Western societies. The panel — called the Alliance of Civilizations — concluded the Israel-Palestinian conflict is the driving force behind tensions between Muslims and the West. The report concludes: “The Israeli-Palestinian issue has taken on a symbolic value that colors cross cultural and political relations … well beyond its limited geographic scope.” Overall, the report argued the Israel-Palestinian conflict is one example of why global divisions should not be seen in terms of a “Clash of Civilizations” but rather geopolitical conflicts. The reports’ authors include Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami.