US Cuts Funding After UNESCO Accepts Palestine

The Takeaway

The United States and Israel are withdrawing contributions to UNESCO, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural  Organization, after the body voted accepted Palestine as the 195th full member on Monday. The U.S. contributes 22 percent of UNESCO’s budget, and Israel provides another three percent. UNESCO’s full membership voted 107 to 14 to accept Palestine, with 52 abstentions. Colum Lynch, who covers the U.N. for The Washington Post, discusses whether this latest tactic by Palestine will help it get the broader international recognition its people desire.

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