The vote brings the total number of UNESCO member States to 195.

[http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/general_conference_admits_palestine_as_unesco_member_state/](http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/general_conference_admits_palestine_as_unesco_member_state/)

“The admission of a new member State is a mark of respect and confidence,” UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said following the vote. “This must be an opportunity to strengthen the Organization and not weaken it, a chance for all to commit once again to the values we share and not to be divided.”

Bokova voiced concern by the “potential challenges” that may arise to the universality and financial stability of UNESCO. “I am worried we may confront a situation that could erode UNESCO as a universal platform for dialogue. I am worried for the stability of its budget.”

“It is well-known that funding from our largest contributor, the United States, may be jeopardized,” she noted. “I believe it is the responsibility of all of us to make sure that UNESCO does not suffer unduly as a result…”

**Who Voted What**

Israel was quick to criticise the decision: Nimrod Barkan, the Israeli representative to UNESCO, called the vote “tragic for the idea of UNESCO”, Al Jazeera reported on October 31.

Israel voted against the measure, as did the U.S., Canada and several European countries, including Germany. The UK abstained, while France voted in favor, the network informed. Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa voted in favor of Palestine full membership.

**U.S. Threats With Baring Funding**

The vote will almost certainly trigger a US law, passed in 1990, which bars the US from funding any UN agency “which accords the Palestine Liberation Organization the same standing as member states”, according to the Doha-based Al Jazeera.

The US provides about $80 million per year, or 22 per cent of the agency’s total budget.

David Killion, the U.S. representative at UNESCO, said the decision would “complicate our ability to support UNESCO,” and reiterated the Obama administration’s past criticism of Palestinian bids for UN recognition, it added.

For her part, Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, would not say whether the U.S. was pressuring Congress to issue such a waiver, reports Al Jazeera. “We are not going to create a Palestinian state at UNESCO,” Nuland said last week. “There are consequences if UNESCO votes in this direction.”

**Also Ban Ki-moon Worried**

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, asked about the UNESCO decision during a press conference in New York, said that it is up to Member States to ensure that the UN system as a whole has consistent political and financial support.

“As such, we will need to work on practical solutions to preserve UNESCO’s financial resources,” he stated.

He also emphasised once again the urgency of a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stressing that the two-state solution is “long overdue.”

**Practical Steps**

For its membership to take effect, Palestine must sign and ratify UNESCO’s constitution, which is open for signature in the archives of the Government of the United Kingdom in London.

Admission to UNESCO for States that are not members of the UN requires a recommendation by the agency’s Executive Board and a two-thirds majority vote in favour by the General Conference.

The General Conference, which consists of the representatives of the States that are members of the agency, meets every two years, and is attended by member States and associate members, together with observers for non-member States, intergovernmental organisations and non- governmental organisations (NGOs).

It is tasked with setting the programmes and the budget of UNESCO. It also elects the members of the Executive Board and appoints, every four years, the Director-General.

The current 36th session of the General Conference began on 25 October and will run through 10 November.

UNESCO’s mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.

Sources:

[http://www.un.org/apps/news/printnews.asp?nid=40253](http://www.un.org/apps/news/printnews.asp?nid=40253)

[http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/10/2011103172551498181.html](http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/10/2011103172551498181.html)

2011 Human Wrongs Watch [http://human-wrongs-watch.net/](http://human-wrongs-watch.net/)