In the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority tourism minister celebrated...

"In remarks welcoming Palestine to the agency, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova noted that membership “goes beyond raising the flag” and includes critical rights and responsibilities, as well as the sharing of universal values such as tolerance and respect for others.

“Membership allows a country to bring to the world that which it cherishes most – the wealth of its culture, the resonance of its dreams for mutual understanding,” she said.

“The Palestinian people, as all peoples, must be able to preserve their culture and heritage. They must benefit from quality education, education for peace. A strong educational system teaches respect for human rights. A vibrant culture respects the culture of others. In this connected world, healthy societies flourish through ties with others. UNESCO stands for all of this.”
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UN NEWS Palestinian flag raised at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France

AFP Photo

The Palestinian flag flies next to the UNESCO flag, moment after it was raised for the first time at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)

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Abbas raises Palestinian flag at UNESCO

President Mahmoud Abbas (C), UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova and
officials attend the flag-raising ceremony for the Palestinian flag at the UNESCO
Headquarters in Paris December 13, 2011. (Reuters/Benoit Tessier)

Some 50 diplomatic guests watched as Abbas lifted the flag to the Palestinian national anthem and said he hoped UNESCO's move was the beginning of international recognition for Palestine. The Palestinian national anthem played as a morning of biting wind and rain gave way to a burst of sunshine.

"It is moving to see our flag raised and for it to be flying in this beautiful city of Paris among all the other states. This bodes well for Palestine becoming a member of other international institutions," Abbas said.

"We hope we will have one independent state in the future that will live side by side with Israel," he said.

In the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority tourism minister celebrated.

"We are very thankful and consider it a Christmas gift under our tree to be included in UNESCO. And as of today our flag is also flying at UNESCO headquarters," Kholoud Daibes told reporters in Bethlehem.

"This is a reason for us not to give up, and we are very optimistic that the international community is becoming more sensitive and very supportive to the issue of ending occupation," she said Monday....READ MORE

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Abbas to UNESCO: It’s an Emotional, Historical Moment

PARIS, December 13, 2011 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday described the raising of the Palestinian flag at UNESCO headquarters in Paris as a historical and emotional moment.

Shortly after raising the flag making Palestine officially UNESCO member number 195, Abbas told the General Conference that “it is a historical and an emotional moment for me and my people to raise the Palestinian flag at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.”

UNESCO voted on October 31 to admit Palestine as full member, the first for a UN agency.

Abbas received a warm welcome and a standing ovation when he entered the hall and after he took to the podium of the General Conference to address UNESCO plenum.

It is a cause for pride that UNESCO, with its noble and humanitarian charter, programs and objectives, was the first international organization to admit Palestine a full member, said Abbas....READ MORE