Israel has announced it will join the United States in freezing funding of UNESCO following Monday’s vote to grant the Palestinians membership in the U.N. cultural body. Israel had previously pledged $2 million annually to UNESCO.

Mark Regev, spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Government budgets that were earmarked for UNESCO will now go to support projects, regional projects, Middle East projects, designed to encourage cooperation in science, culture and education. These projects will bolster peace, and not undermine peace, as done the recent decision by UNESCO.”

Besides freezing funding to UNESCO, Israel has ordered the construction of 2,000 new settlement homes on occupied land and suspended the transfer of tax revenue it collects for the Palestinians. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, defended the Palestinian effort to join UNESCO.

Riyad Mansour: “We are trying to become like others in joining this very important U.N. agency as a full member to be involved in a collective process with the rest of humanity in defending treasures of humanity, historical sites, religious sites, and being involved in an active way with cultural issues and scientific issues.”