Palestinian Admission to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµESCO

Press Statement 

Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson
, Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

October 31, 2011



Today’s vote by the member states of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµESCO to admit Palestine as a member is regrettable, premature, and undermines our shared goal of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East. The United State remains steadfast in its support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, but such a state can only be realized through direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians.

The United States also remains strongly committed to robust multilateral engagement across the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ system. However, Palestinian membership as a state in Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµESCO triggers longstanding legislative restrictions which will compel the United States to refrain from making contributions to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµESCO.

U.S. engagement with Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµESCO serves a wide range of our national interests on education, science, culture, and communications issues. The United States will maintain its membership in and commitment to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµESCO and we will consult with Congress to ensure that U.S. interests and influence are preserved.