Abbas raises Palestinian flag at UNESCO
(Reuters) - President Mahmoud Abbas symbolically hoisted the Palestinian flag at the headquarters of the U.N. cultural agency on Tuesday calling it the first step to international recognition for Palestine.
Some 50 diplomatic guests watched as Abbas lifted the flag while the Palestinian national anthem was played at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris, through biting wind and pouring rain.
"It is moving to see our flag raised and for it to be flying in this beautiful city of Paris among all the other states. This bodes well for Palestine becoming a member of other international institutions," Abbas told UNESCO ambassadors.
The Palestinians won admission to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in October, a move that prompted the United States to cut off funding to the agency. Abbas said they intended to apply to 16 other international institutions for full membership.
The UNESCO vote was a diplomatic victory for Abbas, who in the absence of peace talks with Israel has pushed for recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations, a move opposed by the Jewish state and by Washington.
"Israel regrets that an organization responsible for education and science was at the heart of making a decision based on science fiction by integrating an entity that has no legal status as a state," the Israeli embassy in Paris said.
Mr Abbas can indeed apply. I'm sure he already has. Even with the overwhelming vote to gain access to UNESCO, I don't think they will gain any more UN organizations to their list. The USA, Canada & ... I think the UK all pulled funding from UNESCO when they voted the Palestinians in. Still waiting for new US laws to allow such here but .. I doubt that too during an election year.
(Reuters) - President Mahmoud Abbas symbolically hoisted the Palestinian flag at the headquarters of the U.N. cultural agency on Tuesday calling it the first step to international recognition for Palestine.
Some 50 diplomatic guests watched as Abbas lifted the flag while the Palestinian national anthem was played at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris, through biting wind and pouring rain.
"It is moving to see our flag raised and for it to be flying in this beautiful city of Paris among all the other states. This bodes well for Palestine becoming a member of other international institutions," Abbas told UNESCO ambassadors.
The Palestinians won admission to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in October, a move that prompted the United States to cut off funding to the agency. Abbas said they intended to apply to 16 other international institutions for full membership.
The UNESCO vote was a diplomatic victory for Abbas, who in the absence of peace talks with Israel has pushed for recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations, a move opposed by the Jewish state and by Washington.
"Israel regrets that an organization responsible for education and science was at the heart of making a decision based on science fiction by integrating an entity that has no legal status as a state," the Israeli embassy in Paris said.
Mr Abbas can indeed apply. I'm sure he already has. Even with the overwhelming vote to gain access to UNESCO, I don't think they will gain any more UN organizations to their list. The USA, Canada & ... I think the UK all pulled funding from UNESCO when they voted the Palestinians in. Still waiting for new US laws to allow such here but .. I doubt that too during an election year.
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