PARIS - The United Nations' culturalagency decided on Monday to give the Palestinians fullmembership of the body, a vote that will boost their bid forrecognition as a state at the United Nations.
UNESCO is the first UN agency the Palestinians have soughtto join as a full member since President Mahmoud Abbas appliedfor full membership of the United Nations on Sept. 23.
The United States, Canada and Germany voted againstPalestinian membership. Brazil, Russia, China, India, SouthAfrica and France voted in favor. Britain abstained.