US principles fall short of providing aid to those who truly need help
The heading of the Nov. 4 column “US stays true to its principles by refusing UNESCO funds” left me wondering whether the perception I’ve held of American principles is some sort of disillusioned belief in values such as equality, liberty and justice for all.
Sadly, what I infer from analyzing this event is that these principles only apply to America and its allies. I think it is imperative that we look more closely at the Palestinian bid for membership in UNESCO and in the United Nations and think critically about what these votes mean.
First, there is no denying the fact that in more than 60 years of this conflict, the Israelis and the Palestinians (even with the U.S. acting on its “principles” as a mediator) have not been able to achieve peace. All it takes is a small amount of research to understand that there have not been “good faith” negotiations happening between the parties.
At these so-called negotiating tables, the combination of the power of Israel with the unconditional support of the current world leader (an even-handed peace broker) makes demands while the Palestinians — with very little leverage — are expected to acquiesce. Just look at a map of the region.
Will Israel ever make sincere and necessary concessions in this situation? Probably not. Will the Palestinians ever stop fighting for their human rights or a resolution for their nation that involves justice? Like all people, the answer is resoundingly no.
Now, I believe the bids to the U.N. after all of these years and in the context of the bargaining situation are anything but “premature.” It is dignified, peaceful and just. Recognition as a state along with all of the benefits of being a member of the organization that promotes peace, order and human rights is not harmful for anyone other than those opposed to those values.
Unlike the bombs and terrorism that we condemn, it doesn’t explode, destroying infrastructure and lives or indicate an initiative to “wipe Israel off the map.” The Palestinians are trying to play by the rules of international law, and our country is blocking them.
Who benefits from the removal of U.S. funding from an organization devoted to educational, scientific and cultural development worldwide? No one, not even Americans, and our move to deny the Palestinian people the benefits of membership in UNESCO is shameful.
As Americans, we can’t afford to continue to shield ourselves from our own faults by discrediting the opinions of other peoples in other countries.
The arrogance we espouse in clinging to the notion of our own infallibility is one of the primary reasons we face so much opposition in the global community. A vote of 107-14 is not “inexplicable” as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton so easily labeled it — it is a wake-up call. So in regard to the “principles,” I would like to think that the American people stand for what is right rather than what is now.
— Danya Nayfeh, fourth-year international studies student