United States Withdraws from UNESCO Under President Trump, Citing Anti-Israel Bias
President Donald Trump's administration has withdrawn the United States from UNESCO for the third time, just two years after rejoining, citing perceived anti-Israel bias and promotion of divisive causes.
Goodbye Unesco — This Time May It Be for Good
New York Sun
Trump to Pull US From UNESCO
Daily Signal
Trump Withdraws US from UN Cultural Agency Over 'Woke' Agenda and Anti-Israel Bias
Washington Free Beacon
United States leaves UNESCO two years after rejoining
World News Group
State Department pulls UNESCO membership
Washington Examiner
Overview
- The United States, under President Donald Trump's administration, has decided to withdraw from UNESCO, marking the third time the nation has exited the international organization.
- This withdrawal comes only two years after the U.S. had rejoined UNESCO in 2018, reversing a previous decision to leave the agency.
- Primary reasons cited for the U.S. departure include perceived anti-Israel bias within UNESCO and its alleged promotion of divisive social and cultural causes.
- UNESCO's Director General expressed deep regret over the U.S. decision, acknowledging that while the move was expected, it represents a significant blow to the agency.
- The U.S. withdrawal is anticipated to significantly impact UNESCO's budget and operations, as the United States historically provided a notable share of its funding.
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Analysis
The reporting appears neutral and objective by presenting the US administration's stated reasons for withdrawal and UNESCO's counter-arguments without editorializing. Sources attribute all strong or evaluative language directly to the respective parties, providing factual background on UNESCO's mission and historical context of US involvement, allowing readers to form their own conclusions.
"The Trump administration will withdraw the U.S. from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) — about two years after the U.S. rejoined the group under Biden."
NPR"The US has said it will leave the United Nations' culture and education agency Unesco, accusing it of supporting "woke, divisive cultural and social causes"."
BBC News"The US announced Tuesday that it would withdraw from the UN’s cultural and educational agency, UNESCO, at the end of next year, the Trump administration’s latest move to distance itself from international institutions."
Semafor"President Trump is pulling the U.S. from UNESCO, the United Nations' scientific, educational and cultural arm, insisting it "supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes.""
CBS News"The United States announced Tuesday it will again pull out of the U.N.’s educational, scientific and cultural agency because of what Washington sees as its anti-Israel bias, only two years after rejoining."
ABC NewsArticles (19)
Center (5)
FAQ
The U.S. government cited perceived anti-Israel bias within UNESCO and the organization's alleged promotion of divisive social and cultural causes as primary reasons for the withdrawal.
The U.S. first left UNESCO in 1984, citing politicization and financial management concerns, but rejoined in 2003. The country withdrew again in 2018—during the Trump administration—over similar concerns, and is now leaving for a third time, just two years after rejoining in 2018.
The U.S. historically provided a significant share of UNESCO's funding, so its departure is expected to have a major negative impact on the organization’s budget and operations.
In the 2017–2018 withdrawal, the U.S. expressed interest in maintaining engagement as a non-member observer state, but there is no clear statement in the article about future engagement following the latest withdrawal. Earlier official communications indicated a desire to remain engaged on issues like world heritage protection and scientific collaboration.
UNESCO’s Director General expressed deep regret over the U.S. withdrawal, noting that while the move was anticipated, it was still a significant setback for the agency.
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