Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, on Monday, October 31, UNESCO voted to award the Palestinian Authority full membership in its organization. UNESCO made the decision in spite of an existing U.S. law which prohibits U.S. contributions to the United Nations or any associated organization that awards the Palestinian Authority the same standing as full member states. It defies logic that UNESCO would willingly forgo nearly one-quarter of its budget--the 22 percent that is contributed by the United States each year--in exchange for awarding the PA full member status. This decision is especially troubling considering that it will only diminish the prospects for genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians, which can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties involved and not by fiat. Nevertheless, UNESCO has made its decision, and the U.S. should stand by existing law and cut off funding for the organization. Anything short of this will send a clear message to other international organizations considering similar action that Congress and the United States does not follow up on what it says. It will also send a message to America's allies, most especially Israel, that the United States cannot be taken at its word. Congress needs to stand by Israel and all of its allies and hold UNESCO accountable for the decision that it made. ____________________”