Rogers Statement on UNESCO Accepting the Palestinian Authority

Statement

Today Congressman Mike Rogers made the following statement in response to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) accepting the membership of the Palestinian Authority to their agency.

"I am deeply troubled by the actions taken by UNESCO in voting to accept the Palestinian Authority as a member of their agency. This act by the Palestinian Authority is just another ploy as they aim for legitimacy and an attempt to bypass the needed one-on-one peace talks vital to an agreement to stabilize the region.

"Although the United States did not vote in favor of this measure, we could have better leveraged our international allies to help prevent this from happening. The vote aside, I am encouraged the State Department has indicated they will follow current U.S. law which mandates the withholding of funds to UNESCO.

"I hope Congress, with my support, will help ensure UNESCO receives no American taxpayer dollars with zero exceptions. And I hope we reevaluate other questionable UN programs. The United States should continue to support her strongest ally in the Middle East, Israel, in pursuit of peace for the region."

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