The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, aka UNESCO, is a leading force in promoting literacy, science and education — in other words, vital international values. It does a lot of good work around the world, from promoting literacy in Afghanistan to training teachers in Africa.

That's why the U.S. contributes about $80 million annually to UNESCO, or 22 percent of its budget.

Or did, until Monday.

The Palestinians were invited to join UNESCO on Monday, in a lopsided 107-14 vote that the U.S. tried to derail because it undercuts attempts to restart Middle East peace talks.

By law, the U.S. must now withhold its dues — which blows a huge hole in UNESCO's budget and imperils many of its projects. What a shame for the U.N.

U.S. law requires a cutoff of American financing to any U.N. agency that accepts the Palestinians as full members. There's no wiggle room. So far we haven't seen any rush in Congress to change that, nor should there be. This is a self-inflicted wound for the world body.

The UNESCO vote in Paris drew thunderous cheers and told us something we already knew: There's a lot of sympathy for the Palestinians and their bid for statehood via the U.N. Security Council. That's part of a Palestinian strategy to stir trouble for Israel and pre-emptively declare a state before peace talks can settle the major issues of borders, refugees and Jerusalem.

The Security Council is rightly slow-walking that request, hoping intense diplomatic efforts to rekindle talks will succeed.

So far, nothing. Hence the Palestinian end-run for UNESCO membership.

UNESCO protects historic heritage sites. It works to improve water quality. It fights for equal rights for girls.

What does UNESCO's mission have to do with the Palestinians' quest for a state? Nothing.

The Palestinians' bid was pure political theater, symbolism without substance. The vote brings the Palestinians no closer to establishing their own state. And the people UNESCO serves are out $80 million a year. Everybody loses.

The U.S. steered clear of UNESCO for many years because it was viewed as corrupt and anti-American. But on Sept. 12, 2002, President George W. Bush declared: "As a symbol of our commitment to human dignity, the United States will return to UNESCO. This organization has been reformed and America will participate fully in its mission to advance human rights, tolerance and learning."

The U.S. should and will still support those efforts around the world, just not through UNESCO.

UNESCO members made the wrong choice. They let politics trump good works. All those who benefit from UNESCO programs around the world are victims.