The instant condemnation by powerful countries of both the Palestinian Authority and Unesco, following the symbolic recognition of the former as a full member, was quick to make headlines.

Whether or not the Palestinian Authority acted wisely in seeking Unesco membership is a debatable matter and the condemnation by some countries was a matter of state policy.

What, however, is not debatable, and impermissible, is the breach of international law. As was reported in Israel Responds To Unesco Vote With Punitive Measures (November 2), Israel moved to take punitive and retaliatory measures against the Palestinian Authority by building “2,000 settler homes” in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The instant condemnation of Israel’s actions, which was characterised by the EU High Representative and the UK Foreign Secretary as “illegal under international law” (BBC, Israeli Settlements Condemned By Western Powers, November 2), drew a decidedly more muted response in the media.

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