Thread by @LaraFriedmanDC

Follow-up on Palestinians’ “nuclear” options:

Option 1: resorting to the ICC. See my previous thread regarding (non-)implications for US policy.

Option 2: joining UN agencies, which lots of us are hearing is happening (also reported here jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-C…)

1/x

Let’s review what happens under US law if option 2 is activated (covered in detail in my Jan 2017 analysis warning Trump would likely cut Pal aid, target PLO mission & move the embassy, & that Palestinians joining UN agencies would likely result)

huffingtonpost.com/entry/think-tr…

2/x

Under 2 US laws, US must de-fund any UN agency that admits the Palestinians as a member. There is no waiver, no fine print.

These laws were adopted in the 1990s, when Congress was hostile to the idea of Palestinians statehood or intl legitimacy. 3/x

graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/w…

Through 25 yrs of peace efforts, Congress never changed these laws. Though today, Congress & US Admins treat the granting of legitimacy to the Palestinians by the intl community as an attack on Israel and a red line the crossing of which requires punitive consequences. 4/x

Here’s the rub: if the Palestinians go to the ICC, the US imposes consequences on the Palestinians; in contrast, if the Palestinians are admitted to UN agencies, the US imposes consequences on the agencies - and, by extension, on itself (cut off nose to spite face). 5/x

In 2011, the Palestinians were admitted to UNESCO - leading US to de-fundit. Americans by & large didn’t notice (no domestic constituency for UNESCO programs). The irony? Since then US has no voice/vote/leverage to defend Israel against critical resolutions in UNESCO. 6/x

Now the stakes are higher - Pals have right to join agencies like WIPO, WHO, IAEA, WFP, and WTO. Implications of US de-funding those agencies are enormous, with very clear negative consequences for Americans and for US national security interests. 7/x

Take the IAEA (US is biggest donor). Worried about nuke programs of DPRK & Iran? Will you feel less worried after US defunds key watchdog monitoring nuclear programs around the world, knowing that it did so to “defend” Israel against the Palestinian gaining intl legitimacy. 8/x

Take WHO. Nervous after reading new reports about Ebola? How do you feel about fact that the US - in the name of “defending” Israel & sticking it to the world for being nice to the Palestinians - may have to de-fund the key organization fighting intl epidemics & pandemics? 9/x

How about impact of US de-funding World Food Program (WFP) & UN Food & Agricultural Organization (FAO). US farmers & shippers will be shocked when ag export programs specifically designed to benefit them suddenly end. 9/x

Many Americans doubtless believe Trump’s Isr-Pal policies have nothing to do with them. The laws re Pals/UN are clear example of how wrong this view is & the potentially devastating consequences for Americans’ security, health, & economic well-being these policies hold. 10/x

Final thought: Only way to avoid consequences laid out above is to change law. MoCs are long on record saying NO WAY. Does anyone have confidence that in Trump era of open contempt for UN/intl community & embrace of Israeli far right, reason/self-interest will now prevail? END