UNESCO grants full membership to Palestine

The United Nations cultural agency UNESCO on Monday voted to grant full membership to Palestine despite strong objections from Israel and the United States.

Palestine is currently an observer at UNESCO but a group of Arab states previously submitted a recommendation to the organization's executive committee to request full membership. The proposal received 107 votes in favor of admission, 14 votes against and 52 abstentions.


Admission to UNESCO for states which are not members of the United Nations requires a recommendation by the organization's executive committee and a two thirds majority vote in favor by member states. Abstentions are not considered to be votes, and no member has veto powers.

Among the countries which voted against admission were Israel, the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia and Germany. Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa and France were among the countries which voted in favor while the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan were among those who abstained....

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[link to wireupdate.com]