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Lapid examines Israel's return to UNESCO
The Foreign Ministry is examining the possibility of re-joining the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization, from which Israel withdrew with the United States in 2019.
An Israeli return may also pave the way for a re-accession of the United States. Lapid believes that Israel's withdrawal has harmed its ability to influence.
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UNESCO
United States
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
UN
Lightning Ravid
Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 9 p.m.
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Foreign Minister Yair Lapid is examining Israel's return to membership in UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization, from which it withdrew with the United States in January 2019 - Walla! Senior Israeli officials involved in the matter.
An Israeli return to UNESCO could pave the way for the Biden administration to rejoin UNESCO as well, help the White House mobilize congressional support and fend off criticism from the Republican Party.
"A few weeks ago, Lapid instructed the Foreign Ministry's Division of International Organizations to examine the possibility of rejoining UNESCO. Sources involved in the matter said that shortly after taking office, Lapid spoke by telephone with World Jewish Congress Chairman Ron Lauder, who encouraged him to rejoin UNESCO." and.
Senior Israeli officials said Lapid then claimed that the fact that Israel withdrew from some international organizations did not help solve their bias problem against it, but only made Israel less able to influence and Israeli foreign policy became less effective.
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He argued that the fact that Israel withdrew did not help solve the problem of bias against it.
Torch (Photo: Reuters)
In recent weeks, the International Organization Division in the Ministry's staff has been working on a possible Israeli return to UNESCO. Senior officials noted that recommendations on the issue are expected to be submitted to Lapid in the near future.
In October 2017, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced that the United States would withdraw from UNESCO due to a desire to save money, a demand for reforms and a bias of the organization against Israel. The Israeli government was also very critical of UNESCO in light of the organization's decisions that tried to blunt the Jewish people's connection to Jerusalem. Israel was surprised by the American announcement that it was not coordinated with it, but soon announced that it would also withdraw from the organization.
Relations between Israel and the United States and UNESCO became more tense in 2011 when most of the organization's member states voted in favor of recognizing Palestine as a state and accepting it as a full member. To the ranks of the Palestinians as full members.
The Americans then cut the funding they transfer to UNESCO by $ 80 million annually - a quarter of the organization's total budget. Following the cessation of corporation tax, the Americans lost their right to vote at UNESCO conventions and their influence in the organization diminished significantly.
The government is examining the possibility of returning to UNESCO, especially in light of China's strengthening of the organization. Biden (Photo: Reuters)
The Biden administration is interested in returning to UNESCO membership especially in light of the fact that since the American retirement China has become much more influential in its activities and agenda. The Chinese are also pushing for the relocation of some UNESCO departments to Shanghai.
A return to UNESCO is a hot political potato in Israel and the United States.
Will
support a move that Lapid is considering promoting.
On the American side, there are quite a few Democratic members of Congress who have sharply criticized UNESCO and the attitude Israel receives in the organization.
To return to UNESCO membership The White House often needs Congress to approve the US $ 500 million debt payment to the organization. An Israeli joining UNESCO may help Biden persuade many members of Congress to support the move.
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