UNESCO membership for Palestine
It is certainly a momentous and historic statement for Palestine, having been granted a full member status at Unesco, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. This victory symbolises the Palestinian endeavor to achieve statehood and a full membership status at the UN General Assembly and paves the way for an eventual recognition of Palestine as an independent state. The vote, which required a two-thirds approval by Unesco members, passed with an overbearing majority vote of 107 countries in favour, 14 against and 52 abstentions.
However, this symbolic victory for Palestine has not been achieved without serious objections. The United States and Israel have objected vehemently to the admission of Palestine, stating that statehood can only be granted through a mutual peace process and not by Palestine attempting to form a state without an agreement.
The United States, a major contributor to Unesco, contributes $80 million a year to the UN organization. This funding will now be cut because of the US position to not support any organization which grants Palestine the same status as a member state. This is a clear indication that The US has placed spikes and shackles on Palestine despite its hardships and attempts at becoming a sovereign state, giving in to a strong Zionist lobby, in spite of the fact that even President Obama has expressed clear desires to see the existence of 2 sovereign states.
The majority support from Unesco member states regarding this decision of according full membership to Palestine is an obvious indication of global support for an independent Palestine and its people, which cannot be overlooked. A general demonstration of support was also seen in September when President Abbas was greatly applauded after his speech at the UN to recognize an independent Palestine. We read into all these a prospect for serious peace negotiations to ensue.
We congratulate the people of Palestine for this historic achievement and moral victory and wish them continued success in achieving their goals in a peaceful manner.
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