Phyllis Bennis discusses the fallout of the UNESCO vote on Democracy Now.
Former British Ambassador Craig Murray says the UNESCO also sets a precedent for Palestine to join the International Criminal Court:
The UNESCO membership is crucial recognition of Palestine’s statehood, not an empty gesture. With this evidence of international acceptance, there is now absolutely no reason why Palestine cannot, instantly and without a vote, join the International Criminal Court. Palestine can now become a member of the International Criminal Court simply by submitting an instrument of accession to the Statute of Rome, and joining the list of states parties.
As both the USA and Israel refuse to join the ICC because of their desire to commit war crimes with impunity, acceding to the statute of Rome would not only confirm absolutely that Palestine is a state, it would reinforce the fact that Palestine is a better international citizen with more moral legitimacy than Israel.
There is an extremely crucial point here: if Palestine accedes to the Statute of Rome, under Article 12 of the Statute of Rome, the International Criminal Court would have jurisdiction over Israelis committing war crimes on Palestinian soil. Other states parties – including the UK – would be obliged by law to hand over indicted Israeli war criminals to the court at the Hague. This would be a massive blow to the Israeli propaganda and lobbying machine.
Of course, this also means the US could end up withholding funding to many more parts of the UN system. The Christian Science Monitor asks – will the UNESCO Palestine vote lead the US to defund nuclear watchdog IAEA, too?
Yup, Exactly. Having a Palestine fully integrated into international institutions, Including the IAEA, conventions on weaponry, and international justice, while Israel increasingly becomes estranged and isolated, the contrast is obvious.
If Israel’s crimes against humanity (Palestinians) ever makes it to the ICC. Israel will be standing on that they did not “knowingly” target civilians. Which we know is bull
Matt Lee! Wow! (If only NYT published this exchange, verbatim. does AP?)
The bit about the Yanks excluding themselves from UNESCO by non payment of dues and thus forfeiting the right to be represented in other UN fora such as the one that covers intellectual property is amazing. Let’s see Apple and Microsoft etc take on the Lobby in broad daylight. Handbags at the ready.
Ultimately Zionism brings no money to the US. It creates no value.
BTW such a pity to see this thread derailed by DBG.
Phyllis Bennis is a most impressive lady. I guess the UNESCO stunt is no different to the gimping of Goldstone. That is how Zionism works and why it is ultimately going to end up repeating Masada.