An important step forward in the Unesco

The UN agency has decided to recognize in it Palestine. First win then what awaited the verdict of the Security Council on the Palestinian state.

The reaction of the Israelis and their allies - steadfast and always - the United States, marks alone the political and diplomatic history of voting by UNESCO. A victory for the Palestinians is not only symbolic.

They obtained a clear vote of the General Conference of Unesco, which brings together all the Member States: 107 in favor, 52 abstentions and 14 votes against. "The General Conference decides on the admission of Palestine as a member of Unesco," says the resolution. "It's really a historic moment for Palestine makes some of his rights.

France has voted in favor

Palestine is the birthplace of religions and civilizations ", welcomed the Member States to the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Riyad Al Malki. "The entry of Palestine is the number of Member States of Unesco to 195" said the UN organization in a statement. She added to that of Southern Sudan, voted last week to do without problems. The overwhelming majority of Arab, African and Latin American countries voted for the accession, which was expected. However, what is more interesting is the vote of France. Paris, which, until then, had however expressed serious reservations about the Palestinian initiative, issued a favorable vote, what can only be welcomed in that it corresponds to the wishes of a majority of French. France justified its vote and positive. "Today, the question that was asked was whether the international community responded yes or no to the application for membership of Palestine to UNESCO," said the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bernard Valero . "At the moment it is, we must take responsibility and respond on the merits. And the merits, France said yes, "he said.

A real blow to Israel

This French vote that would have been encountered in many other countries of the European Union (eleven have agreed), while Italy and the UK abstained and Germany - not surprisingly - voted against. For Israel, it is a real blow. For the United States as well. They immediately announced they were suspending their payments to UNESCO. And Israel denounced "a Palestinian unilateral move will not change anything on the ground but further away the possibility of a peace" (sic). Tel Aviv could, according to Israeli newspapers, "accelerate" the settlement (is it even possible?) Or financial sanctions against the Palestinians.

In turn, following their accession to UNESCO, the Palestinians will sign the Convention on World Heritage and thus be able to file applications for recognition sites in the territories occupied by Israel 
. The Palestinians want the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is the first site listed "in the name of Palestine" World Heritage, 2012.