Hizbullah Slams U.S. ‘Racism’ in Vote against Palestinian UNESCO Seat
Hizbullah has congratulated the Palestinians on winning UNESCO membership, slamming the United States as "racist" over its decision to vote against the move.
"Hizbullah congratulates the Palestinian people on gaining full UNESCO membership, which is their natural right," the Shiite group said.
"The United States' decision to vote against this natural right... reflects its historic policy of racism... as well as its support for and identification with the Israeli enemy."
Palestinian membership in the U.N.'s cultural arm, which comes as they seek to become a full United Nations member state, was approved Monday in Paris despite strong opposition from the United States and Israel.
Angry U.S. officials said Washington was withdrawing its share of UNESCO funding, which amounts to almost a quarter of the cultural body's overall budget, and warned of a "cascade" effect should other U.N. bodies follow suit.
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri has also hailed Palestine’s entry as a full member of UNESCO.
He said the diplomatic victory “constitutes the first result of the long and painful struggle of the Palestinian people, and the first step of the brave initiative last month to obtain full recognition” at the U.N.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet
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