The US government is expressing outrage today as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization overwhelmingly approved of granting full membership status to Palestine, in a 107-14 vote.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton termed the vote “inexplicable” and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R – FL), the head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, termed the vote “anti-Israel.” The White House indicated that it would go forward with defunding UNESCO.
UNESCO currently gets about 22 percent of its budget from the United States, but a rider in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 1990 (H.R. 3792 in the 101st Congress) obliges the US to defund any UN agency or organization which grants the Palestinians recognition on par with the recognition it grants to other nations.
That rider was included when the PLO declared in 1989 that it was “self-declaring” independence and seeking membership in the World Health Organization, something which then State Dept. official John Bolton also insisted was “anti-Israel.” At the time the bill was passed the US had also defunded the UN Food and Agriculture Organization over what US officials termed “excessive” support for the Palestinians in the occupied territories.
Hmm 107 -14. Sounds like somebody is out of step with the rest of the world. It must be the vote for further sanctions against Iran. Not anti-Moslem just isolating a paraiah state. Why haven't I heard about this in the news?
Oh it is in support of Palestinian statehood? Antisemetic!!!
Go ahead and de-fund UNESCO, de-fund any aid to Palestine… and sit back an six months from now wonder why there are Chinese- and/or Russian-made military vehicles and equipment pouring into Palestine. Scratch your heads and moan about how terrible it is that American companies are locked out of bidding for fat infrastructure contracts.
Let’s not even worry about all the other nations who benefit form UNESCO programs; let’s just leave them hanging, shall we?
Sure- go for it, Washington: as much as you can’t bear the thought, you *can* be replaced, and with something probably much better.
Ridiculous. The act refers to UN dealings with the Palestine Liberation Organization. Not with the new State of Palestine or the Palestinian National Authority. Nice example of suddenly becoming un-technical and inaccurate for the sake of ideology.
Why is that all these alleged US politicians have the authority to label something "anti-israel" or not, even before anyone from israel says anything.
I'd be interested to know the complete list of the 14 countries is.
Why doesn't the USA and Israel withdraw from all international bodies like the UN, WTO, etc. They have never been willing to listen to the desires of other countries. Let the world form its democracies slowly without the intrusion of American and Zionist bias. Pulling out their funding from UNESCO will only hurt their influence in the long run. When will Americans understand that their stupid "pro Israel" policies are tearng down the empire faster than most people want to admit. In 2020, when the US deficit is about 25 billion dollars, Schumer and Cantor will still be recomending the US to transfer 3 billion dollars a year to Israel. With American loyalists like this, who needs enemies?
america and its politicans are such fools the world is moving away from this spent force called america the veto will put the final nail in its coffin.
Lol. I hope this woman gets a stroke.
The US only ended its 20-year boycott of UNESCO in 2003; we had dropped out in 1984 and withheld our dues for all those years over political differences. UNESCO managed to continue to function without US funds.
I'll bet Obama and Clinton were seriously pissed off that they could only persuade a measly 14 countries (including the US) to vote against the Palestinians.
I think that the USA and Israel should pull out of all international government bodies. They do not respect the opinions of other countries and defy the UN Security Council decisions whenever they want to. Please let the rest of the world proceed to higher forms of civilization while they continue their introvertish, Zionist agenda.
ISRAEL — NOT A ZIONIST STATE
Ancient Israel existed for only 819 years, from BC 1405 when it invaded Canaan and committed genocide on most of the indigenous tribes, until BC 586 when it was conquered in war and all the Hebrews were exiled to Babylon.
The majority of Hebrews never returned to Israel, but there was a gradual migration back until AD 70 when Jerusalem and its tall surrounding wall was leveled flat to the ground. And until the 1900’s, the Jewish population in Palestine was never more then 6%.
So, the indigenous natives of Palestine own all the land, especially those who are blood descendents of the Canaanites.
Antiwar.com has become as censored a web site as CNN, Fox News and others. By denying input from American Ph.D. educated persons, you certainly determine the tone of the discussions. Zionism is rampant in America and will lead to the demise of the nation.
I wouldn't have thought that US politicians are so stupid to demnstrate to the world how Dascist they are in reality. Go on, make my day< Hillary, just leave UNO too. We would love to have the head quarters in Europe. They shouldn't be in NY anyway.
W9
I had never thought that the middle finger strengthens any argument. I've changed my mind today. With great deal of satisfaction I praised 107 of them stuck in the face of arrogance. Hats off to those who voted yes. Those who voted no, most likely, do not represent their constituents. Arab Spring will reach them, sooner rather than later.