What needs to be said is about the choices each of us make. About acting ethically. Or choosing to act for reasons of expediency.
Deservedness is not a qualifier needed in order that a person- or a people- are treated with respect. Rights are inherent. And ought to be universal.
Its all too easy for the powerful few to intimidate the cowardly many when doing the right thing will cost.
Australia's governments have acted shamefully in the past, and continue to do so.
Rinnan did the right thing.Howard did not.
Chirac did the right thing re Iraq. Howard did not.
Those who voted to allow Palestine to be a member of UNESCO did the right thing. Gillard did not.
The real issue, apart from those to do with equality and decency, is that within Palestine significant cultural heritage sites are at risk, and what some people do not realise is that not only do they matter to Palestinians, they matter to all of humanity.
And no amount of propaganda and cant will change the truth of that.

Save UNESCO! Why would anyone want to save UNESCO, or it's bastard parent body, the UN itself?

If anyone can point out one really useful thing these bodies have done in the last 25 years, please do so. Hell if it had been left to the UN, they would still be killing each other in Bosnia.

Otherwise please join with all intelligent people, & help get rid of this malicious grasping body, that wants to rule the world, when it can't even rule itself.

To those who have posted comments so far

You all seem to not want to confront what has happened at UNESCO which is:

1. UNESCO has recognised the state of Palestine - since only states can be admitted as members of UNESCO

2. I don't believe that Palestine's membership in UNESCO is lawful - since:

(a)Palestine is not a state according to customary international law.

(b) The vote required was 129 - not the 107 actually recorded.

3. The decision to admit Palestine has cost UNESCO 22% of its budget - amounting to $260 million over the next two years. UNESCO efforts to recoup this amount are most unlikely to be successful - meaning that scores of millions of people worldwide will suffer as UNESCO is forced to cut or abandon programs arranged for the next two years.

4. I believe UNESCO should be seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court as to whether its decision to admit Palestine was in accordance with UNESCO's Constitution or not.

5. Australia is one of the countries uniquely placed to get UNESCO to approach the International Court for a ruling - since Australia was one of the 14 countries that voted against the admission of Palestine because its application was premature.

Are any of you prepared to contribute something of value in discussing these issues?

If you are - I am prepared to respond.