The United Nations cultural agency has accepted the Palestinian bid for full membership, a move that could threaten U.S. funding for the international organization.

Monday's action by the Paris-based UNESCO boosts the Palestinian effort for international recognition as an independent state. Applause broke out after delegates approved membership by a vote of 107 to 14, with 52 abstentions.

France voted for the motion, along with almost all Arab, African, Latin American and Asian nations, including China and India. Israel, the United States, Canada and Germany voted against. Japan and Britain abstained. A two-thirds vote was required by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's 193 members, VOA News reported.