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01/11/2011
Palestine's UNESCO Membership 'Milestone'
Sinn Fein has called the announcement that Palestine's would take membership of UNESCO a 'milestone towards freedom for the Palestinian people'.
Sinn Fein spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, described the vote to accept Palestine as a full member at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), as "truly wonderful news".
The organisation voted by a margin of 107 nations for to 14 against with 52 abstentions.
The announcement has however caused fury in Israel with the country's foreign minister saying it would consider cutting all ties with the Palestinian Authority in response to the decision on Monday.
"My recommendations will be very clear," Avigdor Lieberman told his Yisrael Beiteinu parliamentary faction.
"We need to weigh cutting all ties with the Palestinian Authority. I'm not prepared for Israel to become the ultimate sucker in the Middle East. We cannot continue to accept unilateral measures time after time."
However, Deputy Mac Lochlainn welcomed the Irish Government's support for the application.
He said: "This is truly wonderful news for the beleaguered Palestinian people. It is a clear signal that the international community supports their struggle for justice and freedom and their right to statehood. It is a milestone to freedom for the Palestinian people.
"The 'Arab Spring' is an opportunity for the US and European Union to build new relationships of trust in this region that has been blighted by conflict and failed by the international community. The US and the EU must now step up to their responsibilities to confront illegal Israeli settlements and broker a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine," he said.
(DW/BMcC)
Sinn Fein spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, described the vote to accept Palestine as a full member at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), as "truly wonderful news".
The organisation voted by a margin of 107 nations for to 14 against with 52 abstentions.
The announcement has however caused fury in Israel with the country's foreign minister saying it would consider cutting all ties with the Palestinian Authority in response to the decision on Monday.
"My recommendations will be very clear," Avigdor Lieberman told his Yisrael Beiteinu parliamentary faction.
"We need to weigh cutting all ties with the Palestinian Authority. I'm not prepared for Israel to become the ultimate sucker in the Middle East. We cannot continue to accept unilateral measures time after time."
However, Deputy Mac Lochlainn welcomed the Irish Government's support for the application.
He said: "This is truly wonderful news for the beleaguered Palestinian people. It is a clear signal that the international community supports their struggle for justice and freedom and their right to statehood. It is a milestone to freedom for the Palestinian people.
"The 'Arab Spring' is an opportunity for the US and European Union to build new relationships of trust in this region that has been blighted by conflict and failed by the international community. The US and the EU must now step up to their responsibilities to confront illegal Israeli settlements and broker a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine," he said.
(DW/BMcC)
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Vote of confidence for NI news services
A study of television and other news sources in the UK has found that only 4% of Northern Ireland viewers are dissatisfied with the provision of local news services. The research carried out by the Independent Television Commission (ITC) and Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) found this was the lowest dissatisfaction rate in the UK.
Vote of confidence for NI news services
A study of television and other news sources in the UK has found that only 4% of Northern Ireland viewers are dissatisfied with the provision of local news services. The research carried out by the Independent Television Commission (ITC) and Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) found this was the lowest dissatisfaction rate in the UK.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
