SIDESTEPPING PEACE TALKS, PALESTINIANS LAUNCH NEW STATEHOOD BIDS

The Blaze ^ | 10-10-11 | Sharona Schwartz

[Never A Dull Moment]

Last month, the Palestinian Authority asked the UN Security Council for recognition as an independent state. With no decision yet made, President Mahmoud Abbas is now applying to more world bodies for full membership, as he sidesteps peace negotiations with Israel.

The latest move: an application for membership to UNESCO, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Last Wednesday, the Palestinians cleared their first hurdle as UNESCO’s executive board agreed to allow a vote on their request.

The Palestinians are also trying to enter the World Trade Organization and last week succeeded in obtaining partnership status in the Council of Europe, the continent’s leading human rights body.

The Palestinians presently hold observer status at UNESCO. Full membership could have wider implications and serve ongoing Arab efforts to delegitimize Jewish claims to ancestral and biblical holy sites in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) and East Jerusalem.

Monday, Reuters quoted the Palestinian minister in charge of antiquities and culture, Hamdan Taha, saying if accepted, the Palestinian Authority will seek UNESCO World Heritage recognition for Bethlehem where the Church of the Nativity sits, Hebron, Nablus and other West Bank sites.

Opposing the move are Israel and the U.S. which is threatening to cut off funds to the UN agency. By law, the U.S. cannot fund a UN organization that grants full membership to a group “that does not have the internationally recognized attributes of statehood.” The U.S. contributes 22% of the agency’s budget – more than $80 million per year.

[monkeyshine]

Why do they want to have “world heritage” ownership to holy places they want to burn down?

[SJackson]

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A truth teller. Wonder what Nancy Pelosi thinks of this. The President? Maybe if he'd pick his *ss up instead of loitering in the streets he'd accomplish something useful with his life. Not to suggest ranting about Jews isn't important.

Occupy Wall St.