Palestinians cleared their first hurdle to full membership in UNESCO when the executive board of the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization agreed Oct. 5 in Paris to send the Palestinians’ request to a vote of the body’s 193 member countries, an official said.
The Palestinians’ request came as they expand and accelerate their push for international recognition, despite opposition from the United States and Israel.
The Palestinians have sought UNESCO membership before, to no avail. They may have more momentum now, in the wake of their bid for statehood at the United Nations.
The Palestinians are also seeking a spot in the World Trade Organ-ization and won partnership status this week in the Council of Europe, the continent’s leading human rights body.
Opponents say the UNESCO bid could undermine the broader U.N. discussions. Proponents say that in addition to advancing the Palestinians’ push for recognition, UNESCO membership could offer a key bargaining chip by allowing them to seek protected U.N. status for disputed cultural heritage sites.
Meanwhile, at U.N. headquarters in New York, the Security Council committee that reviews membership applications is considering the Palestinians’ request. — ap