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Israel: UNESCO Vote Harms Chances for Peace Negotiations
(Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs) In response to the UNESCO vote accepting Palestine as a member state on Monday, the Israel Foreign Ministry stated: "This is a unilateral Palestinian maneuver which will bring no change on the ground but further removes the possibility for a peace agreement. This decision will not turn the Palestinian Authority into an actual state, yet places unnecessary burdens on the route to renewing negotiations. Israel believes that the correct and only way to make progress in the diplomatic process with the Palestinians is through direct negotiations without preconditions." "The Palestinian move at UNESCO, as with similar such steps with other UN bodies, is tantamount to a rejection of the international community's efforts to advance the peace process. Israel thanks those countries which displayed a sense of responsibility and opposed this decision."