UNESCO gives Palestinians full membership

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UNESCO gives Palestinians full membership

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UNESCO decided on Monday to give the Palestinians full membership.

31 October,2011 04:53 pm

The United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO decided on Monday to give the Palestinians full membership of the body, a vote that will boost their bid for recognition as a state at the United Nations.UNESCO is the first U N agency the Palestinians have sought to join as a full member since President Mahmoud Abbas applied for full membership of the United Nations on September 23. The United States, Canada and Germany voted against Palestinian membership. Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa and France voted in favour. Britain abstained. Delegates applauded as each of the major nations voted in favour and laughed when Israel voted against.The declaration of the result - 107 for to 14 against - was greeted by a large round of applause by delegates.The United States has said it would veto full U N membership for the Palestinians and it and Israel are also leading opponents of the Palestinian bid for membership of UNESCO and other UN bodies.Palestinians also welcomed the decision and hoped that this vote would help their bid for recognition as state at the United Nations.