Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to hold $2 million Israel transfers to UN cultural body yearly

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to hold $2 million Israel transfers to UN cultural body yearly

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided Thursday to freeze funding to UNESCO after it had granted the Palestinians membership on Monday

Netanyahu’s decision came after a recommendation by Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz.

"These moves, such as accepting the Palestinians into UNESCO, will not advance peace but will only drive it farther away," Netanyahu said. "The only way to reach peace is through direct negotiations without preconditions."

On Tuesday, Netanyahu and his forum of eight senior ministers decided to expedite settlement construction in the West Bank as a part of wider sanctions Israel decided to impose on the Palestinian Authority after UNESCO granted it membership on Monday.

On the other hand, the U.S. supplies $80 million a year, or 22 percent of the agency’s operating budget.

As Middle East peace talks remain stalled, Palestinians are pursuing recognition as a full member at the UN itself as well as elevated status in other international bodies, including the World Trade Organization and the Council of Europe.

The Palestinian membership application for the Paris-based agency, which the U.S. lobbied against, was approved with 107 votes, with 14 against and 52 abstentions. Palestine becomes the 195th member state in the group best known for its designation of “world
heritage” sites.

Under U.S. law, the United States is prohibited from giving funds to the UN or any UN agency that grants the Palestine Liberation Organization the same standing as member states.

As Middle East peace talks remain stalled, Palestinians are pursuing recognition as a full member at the UN itself as well as elevated status in other international bodies, including the World Trade Organization and the Council of Europe.

Today’s outcome, where more than a quarter of countries abstained, also revealed deep divisions in the positions of European nations that currently make up a third of the 15-member Security Council. France voted in favor, the U.K. abstained and Germany voted
against.

The Palestinians can push for a Security Council vote as soon as Nov. 11, when the council meets to discuss the final report put together by experts on the viability of the Palestinian application.

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Posted by Hassan Ali on Nov 4 2011. Filed under Latest News, Middle East. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry