Preventing the sabotage of Palestinian rights

Israeli antics at UNESCO over the vote which recognised the old city of Hebron as a Palestinian World Heritage Site were accompanied by other tirades against the international institution. US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, declared the decision “an affront to history” and a discredit to “an already highly questionable UN agency”.

Contempt in the form of a ridiculous conclusion uttered by Israeli Ambassador Carmel Shama-Hacohen also provided the Israeli media with additional reportage, ostensibly to portray opposition to what Israel terms as bias at the UN. To explain his final comments, Shama-Hacohen stated: “We’re turned the corner, from lowering our heads and accepting these decisions quietly to taking up the diplomatic fight.”

Beneath the expected furore, however, was a revelation of how an ambassador of an unnamed Arab country felt compelled to apologise to his Israeli counterpart for not voting against the resolution since the ballot was not held in secret. Ynet News and the Times of Israel reported the sliver of information, indicating the dynamics of complicity against Palestine at an international level. The apology, which was depicted in a screenshot and published on Israeli media, shows an understanding reached between both ambassadors and subsequent disappointment at it being foiled.

Read: Arab ambassador apologises to Israel for UNESCO vote

The communication, although specifically related to one particular ambassador, is indicative of Israeli manipulation at an international level and of how countries in the region may seek to prioritise relations with the colonial entity over persevering for justice for Palestinians. Within the context of increasing efforts by the US and Israel to marginalise Palestine to the point of oblivion, the intent to vote against the UNESCO resolution does not bode well.

Palestine has applauded the vote, and rightly so, given the value of the text as going beyond the usual mere symbolic recognition. However, the Palestinian Authority cannot define its successes by international diplomatic “battles” while it continues to cooperate in practices which are contributing to the oppression of Palestinians. While territory is considered high-stake for Israel, the PA runs the risk of reducing this vote to symbolism through referencing it as a victory while neglecting other issues that are equally important.

#UNESCOvote

Each victory for Palestinians results in retribution from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who, as Ma’an news agency reported, withheld another $1 million from funding to the UN which will be invested “in a settlement museum, in protest”. The proposed building has been themed “The Museum of the Heritage of the Jewish People in Kiryat Arba and Hebron”.

In the end, apart from history, settlements and settlers remain a priority for Netanyahu and one that remains unchallenged by the PA, with the exception of non-binding resolutions sought at an international level. If the UNESCO resolution is to retain its validity, it has to be substantiated with PA efforts in campaigning for a definite opposition to settlement expansion and settler violence.  According to the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the vote “celebrated facts and rejected the shameless high-profile political bullying and attempts at extortion.” Attempting the same determination in opposition to settler-colonialism would constitute a necessary continuation.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.