UNESCO loses funding

After voting to grant full membership to Palestine, UNESCO has lost its funding from the United States.

UNESCO, or, United Nations education scientific and cultural organization receives a large part of its funding from the US.

The vote was passed with a strong majority with the notable exceptions of the US and Israel. The decision means this is the first UN agency Palestine has been recognized as a member in.

A 1990 law prohibits the American government from funding any UN member that recognizes Palestine. This means UNESCO will lose up to one fifth of its current operating budget.

UNESCO is best known for its world heritage sites.  After the vote Palestinians are set to apply for world heritage status for sites such as the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Unlike a general assembly vote, the UNESCO vote did not allow vetoes. Every member got one vote regardless of size or influence. The US has already threatened to use its veto power if Palestinians attempt to join the UN in November.

If the US refuses to make payments to UNESCO for two years they will lose their voting rights at the next general conference but still be a member.