A Belgian parade depicting Jewish stereotype floats has become the first cultural tradition to be stripped of its UN heritage status.

The annual Aalst carnival was taken off UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list during a 24-nation meeting in Colombia's capital city on December 13.

The float, dubbed 'Nazi-style', featured two men with sidelocks and crooked noses wearing streimels, a fur hat favoured by some orthodox Jews, while sitting atop piles of cash.

It was paraded through Aalst in East Flanders during its annual carnival earlier this year – an event featured since 2010 on the UNESCO list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The town of Alast, in Belgium, was blasted for 'Nazi-style' anti-Semitism after this float depicting hurtful Jewish stereotypes took part in its annual carnival. It was stripped of its UN heritage status during a 24-nation meeting in Colombia's capital city on December 13

The float featured two men with sidelocks and crooked noses wearing streimels, a fur hat favoured by some orthodox Jews, while sitting atop piles of cash. It will be allowed to continue but without association with UNESCO as it is a 'mockery of some communities'

Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO's assistant director-general for culture, said the festival can continue but without being associated with them as it is 'mockery of some communities'.

The float failed to take actions on warnings that would 'draw a line' on what floats and displays are acceptable, according to Mr Ottone.

Aalst Mayor Christoph D'Haese has previously hit back against the carnival's 'grotesque' criticism and claimed it was not his job to police humour.

He said: 'We are on a very dangerous slippery slope when people will be able to decide what can be laughed at.'

Belgium's Forum of Jewish Organisations, who likened the parade's depiction of Jews to that seen in Nazi propaganda said: 'This means that any future anti-Semitic excesses will no longer be legitimized by this UN organization.'

The carnival (pictured), which depicts male characters with crooked, oversized noses holding instruments, has 'turned out to be a bad thing not only for the Jewish community but for the whole of Belgium', according to Belgium's Forum of Jewish Organisations

The organisation added how it 'turned out to be a bad thing not only for the Jewish community but for the whole of Belgium'.

'Everywhere in the world, Aalst has been reported extensively in the media, which has caused great reputational damage to Belgium's image as a host country for the EU.

'This is one of the reasons why the EU Commission strongly condemned the excesses in Aalst last year.

Speaking about the float (pictured) earlier this month, Aalst Mayor Christoph D'Haese added: 'We are on a very dangerous slippery slope when people will be able to decide what can be laughed at'

A spokesman for the town denied being 'anti-Semites or racists' and said the float was intended as a joke, describing it as 'the capital of ridicule and satire'

'In the event of a recurrence of the excesses during the coming carnival, the FJO will not hesitate to remind Aalst its responsibility.'

In a statement, defiant city hall chiefs were unapologetic about the depiction of Jews in the annual parade.

'The people of Aalst have had it with the grotesque allegations,' the statement said.

'We are not anti-Semites or racists. Whoever says we are does so in bad faith. Aalst will always remain the capital of ridicule and satire. Come what may, we will stand by our humorists.

'The people of Aalst are the bravest. That is why we are taking the initiative and walking away from UNESCO recognition.'

Shortly after the parade, Ernesto Ottone Ramirez of UNESCO slammed the parade for its 'manifestations of hatred' and said the float ran contrary to the organisation's values.

The float was created by the Vismooil'n group, which regularly participates in the Aalst carnival.

Meanwhile 40 cultural practices including Alpinism, Thai massage and bachata dancing from the Dominican Republic, as well as Mexico's Talavera ceramics and Bolivia's Festival of the Holy Trinity, were approved by the committee.

The host nation of Colombia was also recognised for implementing a national scheme that helps to preserve traditions like basket weaving, ceramics and wood sculpting.