Israel May Sanction Palestinians for Getting UNESCO Recognition
Officials Poised to Approve New Settlement Expansions
The United States was quick to angrily condemn the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization for granting Palestine “full membership status,” revoking all funding to the organization within hours of the vote.
Israel did that too, of course, but with their funding to UNESCO a fairly trivial amount to begin with they’re looking for a response with more impact. And which makes even less sense. Enter Israel’s cabinet, which is meeting tomorrow on responses.
Step one appears to be a plan for a round of new sanctions and other punitive measures against the Palestinians to punish them for being recognized, including that old Israeli favorite of temporarily halting the transfer of tax dollars to the Palestinian Authority.
But that’s not all. Officials also say that a bunch of new settlement construction plans which were previously considered too controversial to pass (which must really be saying something considering the previous projects) will be quickly greenlighted in another effort to spite the PA for praising the recognition.
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jan burton
October 31st, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Just in case anyone forgot who runs American middle east policy…
contraviews
November 1st, 2011 at 1:21 am
Oil rich Arab League countries should step in and sart funding UNESCO or direct to the PA.
David
November 1st, 2011 at 2:37 am
The Human race, is on A downtrend. I feel sorry for you.
ghouri
November 1st, 2011 at 2:38 am
That is a drama that Arabs finance world and Arabs will be killed in Palestine till regime changes and the process has already started.
Israel is power drunk and the question is how long america can blindly support them.
This is a drama of america that they support only Israelis and are allowed to do whatever they like and kill Muslims and Muslim countries will be ignored as fidels govern in these countries but history will not stop the change coming in the world.
Andy
November 1st, 2011 at 3:41 am
When did the Arab League countries stop their funding for UNESCO? Have you any idea of what UNESCO promotes?
Typical of the US to halt funding to an education programme. Ignorance is bliss, be very happy!
Walter Cole
November 1st, 2011 at 6:03 am
Perhaps a better solution: China should fill in the $60 million vacuum, and then watch Washington squirm.
Two bullies have lost prestige through a democratic process and due to their reactions are losing respect from the world.
.
curmudgeonvt
November 1st, 2011 at 6:15 am
I have stopped believing that the USG will eventually comes to its senses and do the right thing. This unfaltering dedication to the state of Israel has become idiocy instead of alliance. Even the USG in all its incarnate evil cannot deny that what Israel is doing to the Palestinians is wrong – and the USG is guilty by association. The Israelis are not interested in a 2 state solution…they want a 1 state solution and it does not include Palestinians in any form. The Israelis are practicing systematic genocide, slowly but surely. Pushing the Palestinians to a point where they will do something that will give the Israelis an excuse to completely eliminate them – and the USG will stand by waving an Israelis flag mouthing platitudes about peace talks.
The Arab states that completely surround Israel need to cease trade with Israel. How long will Israel function without oil/gas coming into this resource-challenged country? Perhaps the Israelis citizens who are tired of this warring will be able then to get the attention of those who they elected.
thelion
November 1st, 2011 at 7:03 am
we repeatedly hear Republicans say Leave the UN, I whole heartedly agree, and when the US leaves make sure it also leaves the UN security council and its Veto as well and THEN we MIGHT have peace in the Middle East,
LibertyRising
November 1st, 2011 at 7:54 am
The Israelis (and Amerikan pols) are sure leading the way!
LibertyRising
November 1st, 2011 at 7:56 am
In reality, the U.S. taxpayer should be relieved of all UN funding. Period. Ron Paul would do just that. Along with funding to Israel, Egypt, (new) Libya, and all the other welfare clients around the world.
RickR30
November 1st, 2011 at 10:29 am
Israel and it's tail, the US should just remove themselves definitively from the UN. Let the world run their business without the constant whining by these two who can't conceive of an entity that isn't run by likud.
John_Muhammad
November 1st, 2011 at 5:30 pm
Instead of punishing Palestine for the UNESCO recognition, why doesn't Israel punish the nations that voted FOR recognition? Surely Israel has enough Bright Lads to figure how to make 140-something nations uncomfortable all at once? Just as with any other common street bully, Israel chooses to work over the nearest, weakest target- and Palestine is a pretty handy punching bag for them.
Keep it up, Israel- one day it will be your turn to pay the piper and there are an awful lot of people keeping tabs on you. Your mouth is writing checks your body can't cash.