I am writing as a concerned U.S. citizen in protest of my government's recent decision to withdraw its funding from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In light of the organization's decision to grant the Palestinian territories full membership, legislation in United States automatically cut off funding to this peacemaking body. It made we wonder, why is this legislation in place? Are we saying that the Palestinians have no right to a culture or education? UNESCO's admission of Palestine was passed by an overwhelming majority of 107 to 14 with 52 abstentions. It represented a step forward in Palestinian efforts to gain recognition as a state and thereby equality with Israel at the United Nations.
The United States has decided to withhold its funding from UNESCO, which totals about $80 million a year and comprises 22 percent of the organization's budget, on the grounds that it is counterproductive to peace between Israel and Palestine. Is our government really cutting funding to a peace-building humanitarian organization? Is this the image we want as Americans in today's world?
This action by our country's government is, in my eyes, shameful. In their own words, "UNESCO's mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information." This valuable mission should not be held hostage by our nation's government to fulfill the narrow political goal of dictating negotiations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In fact, due to the significant role the United States plays in funding the organization, UNESCO's ability to carry out its mission is now very much in question. UNESCO provides learning opportunities for children who would not normally have them. UNESCO also works towards gender equity and equal opportunity around the world. Isn't this the sort of thing America stands for?
That brings me to the point of the Palestinian people. Of all countries that should sympathize with a nation trying to break free of colonialism, we should be the first. We faced similar struggles not centuries ago. Our Declaration of Independence was a milestone in the pursuit of freedom and human rights worldwide. As an American, I sympathize with the right of the Palestinian people, and any people, to self-determination. Israelis have called the Palestinian statehood bid "an obstacle to peace." Over the past several decades, the United States has claimed to serve as a mediator between these two countries, but when it comes down to it, we back Israel every time, regardless of the circumstances. Nine of our last 10 vetoes in the Security Council since 2001 were used in response to resolutions that either sanctioned Israeli human rights violations or sought to give aid to the Palestinians. We claim that we support a two-state solution, but when the second party tries to become a state, we shoot it down and collectively punish an organization like UNESCO. Israel believes that the statehood bid is an affront to negotiations, but how can two parties negotiate if one is inherently asymmetrical both militarily and politically to the other?
Israelis and Palestinians alike have waited too long to achieve a just peace. Both groups now struggle with the daily strains of an ongoing conflict. I, like many Americans, want a peaceful Israel and Palestine that are free from fear. America has supported the Arab Spring in other countries in the region, and I believe that it is time that we start practicing what we preach and allow the Palestinian people to fulfill their statehood wishes, restore funding to UNESCO and take the state of Israel and the then-newly founded Palestinian state to the negotiation table to solve this conflict once and for all.
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Thomas Stack is a freshman who has not yet declared a major.
