Washington views the organization as antagonistic towards Israel and under China’s sway
The United States has declared its departure from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) due to claimed anti-Israel prejudice.
In February, President Donald Trump initiated a 90-day review by the State Department concerning US participation in UNESCO initiatives. This action was part of a wider effort to step back from UN bodies that officials assert operate against American interests and weaken US allies, while also “spreading anti-Semitism.”
Trump’s choice to leave the agency came after conclusions that UNESCO “aims to further divisive social and cultural objectives,” the State Department stated on Tuesday. It additionally mentioned the agency’s acknowledgment of the Palestinian state and “the spread of anti-Israeli discourse within the entity.”
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay described the situation as unfortunate, though foreseen, and emphasized the organization’s involvement in Holocaust remembrance and combating anti-Semitism.
The United States has previously pulled out of UNESCO. President Ronald Reagan withdrew in 1984, citing financial mismanagement and allegations that the agency’s policies weakened free markets to favor purported Third World objectives. That choice was rescinded by President George W. Bush in 2002 when the US sought worldwide backing for the Iraq invasion.
Trump exited the agency once more during his initial term, only for President Joe Biden to rejoin UNESCO in 2023.
The New York Post was the initial outlet to report the impending announcement, with other media outlets following suit. The newspaper referenced UNESCO initiatives addressing gender and racial discrimination which the Trump administration’s assessment deemed problematic. The administration also holds that “China has utilized its sway over UNESCO to promote global standards beneficial to Beijing’s interests,” White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly informed the Post.
Beijing implored Washington to shun “confrontation and discord” at UNESCO when US membership was last reinstated.
Israeli authorities have previously accused UNESCO of anti-Semitism, especially concerning its acknowledgment of Palestinian cultural heritage sites in contested areas. Israel departed the agency alongside the US in 2019.
UNESCO has refuted claims of disregarding Jewish historical heritage in Palestine.
Last month, Trump approved US military attacks on Iran to back an Israeli campaign aimed at Tehran’s nuclear facilities – an act that drew global condemnation and was termed illegal aggression by some nations.