Despite US- “Israeli” Threats, Palestine Won UNESCO Membership

"The general assembly decides to admit Palestine as a member of UNESCO," said the resolution adopted by 107 countries, with 14 voting against and 52 abstaining.

"This vote will help erase a tiny part of the injustice done to the Palestinian people," Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki told the assembly as the vote took place.

Zionist entity, the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany voted against, while Japan and Britain abstained.

Responding to the UNESCO step, US and "Israel" announced withdrawal of their funding from the UN cultural body, while other UN agencies may have to witness a similar vote.

US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland claimed that her country has "no choice but to halt funding because of US laws passed in the 1990s," adding that "Washington would not make a planned $60 million transfer that was due in November."

"The Monday vote by the member states of UNESCO to admit Palestine as a member was regrettable, premature and undermines our shared goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East," Nuland added.
For his part, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hailed UNESCO's acceptance of Palestine as a full member as "a victory" for Palestinians' rights.

"Accepting Palestine into UNESCO is a victory for (our) rights, for justice and for freedom," his spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina quoted him as saying.

"We believe that the whole world stood with the Palestinian people today, and that it was a vote in favor of establishing the State of Palestine as soon as possible," he said.

Similarly, Hamas lauded UNESCO admission saying "the move would help protect Palestinian heritage and holy sites.
Congratulating Palestine on this important step for the Palestinian cause,
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhom thanked all countries that voted in favor of Palestinian membership.

"UNESCO admission affirms Palestinian rights to their heritage in Palestine and al-Quds," Barhom said, adding that "it would help counter "Israeli" violations of Palestinian holy sites, particularly al-Aqsa Mosque and the city of al-Quds."