Palestine voted into UNESCO, USA cuts funding

[garbon]

I find it rather disgusting that for the US, the "red line", beyond which they will not provide funding to an otherwise helpful and useful organization, is the implied recognition of the Palestinian state.

I have not realized the Jewish lobby in Washington DC is so powerful.

I don't.

[jimmy olsen]

Looks like this legislation could prevent the US from funding the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if the Palestinians join. Oops.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Backchannels/2011/1101/After-UNESCO-Palestine-vote-could-US-defund-nuclear-watchdog-IAEA-too

[Razgovory]

You and me both.  The Sharon years were the only time I had any sort of optimism about the Palestine-Israel question.

I thought they had a real chance in the late 90's.  When Arafat showed that he could not, or would not make a deal, I lost all faith that there will be a peace. 

[Crazy_Ivan80]

I thought the main tripwire for US/Israel supporting recognition was reciprocal recognition for Israel. Is that not right?

The PA's recognised Israel since the 90s.

Also in Arab? Or just in english for the non-arabs/muslims?

[Neil]

Opps.

Goddammit, Tim.

[Faeelin]

I don't understand. So, the US doesn't think Palestine is a state?

I mean, we recognize that Iran and Syria are states even though we don't like them...

[PJL]

I must say, kudos to the PA at the moment. They're playing a crafty game and using the weapons of their 'enemy' to their advantage. It defintely makes them more a nation in waiting that the usual circle of violence eminating from the Gaza area.

[jimmy olsen]

Opps.

Goddammit, Tim.

[Neil]

I don't understand. So, the US doesn't think Palestine is a state?

I mean, we recognize that Iran and Syria are states even though we don't like them...

They really aren't.  Not until they get the Israeli boot off their neck and start controlling some territory.

[Sheilbh]

Also in Arab? Or just in english for the non-arabs/muslims?

Yep.  It was part of Oslo and one of the conditions of it.  Then I think the PLO's charter was initially amended, but not necessarily to everyone's satisfaction.  I think it's since been replaced and Netanyahu's government in the late 90s accepted that the PA position explicitly recognises Israel under 'international law'.

I don't understand. So, the US doesn't think Palestine is a state?

I mean, we recognize that Iran and Syria are states even though we don't like them...

The Palestinians have never officially declared independence.  This is something they've been pushing the past year or so.  They've got explicit recognition from most of Latin America and some European nations.  The UN vote had all of the BRICS on their side.

I must say, kudos to the PA at the moment. They're playing a crafty game and using the weapons of their 'enemy' to their advantage. It defintely makes them more a nation in waiting that the usual circle of violence eminating from the Gaza area.

I think they're playing it well and the Israelis are just not playing at all.

[Josquius]

Very classy America, very classy.

[Neil]

Very classy America, very classy.

I like it.

[Josephus]

I thought the US didn't really pay their UN bills anyways...so is cutting UNESCO funding a huge deal?

[Neil]

I thought the US didn't really pay their UN bills anyways...so is cutting UNESCO funding a huge deal?

Wasn't that some time ago?  The impression I got was that the US was going to cut them a cheque, but now is prevented by law.

[Viking]

I think they're playing it well and the Israelis are just not playing at all.

The Israelis usually look good when they let the Palestinians have the pitch to themselves.

But, seriously, I think the Oslo process is foundering on the inevitable problem of the final resolution of the conflict. The issues of Refugees does not seem resolvable. The basic fundamental positions of the two sides on the refugees is the true issue standing in the way of the solution.

The Israelis will not accept a solution which changes the demographics of Israel and the Palestinians will not accept a deal which does not accept the right of Palestinian refugees to just that.