Trump decided that the United States would withdraw from UNESCO, the White House said

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Washington - American President Donald Trump has decided that the United States will withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This information comes from the New York Post, citing White House Deputy Spokeswoman Anna Kelly. Officials in the Trump administration have concerns about UNESCO's measures regarding diversity, equality, and inclusion, as well as its pro-Palestinian and pro-Chinese bias, Kelly told the newspaper. UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay deeply regrets the decision of the U.S., while also rejecting accusations of bias against Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, on the other hand, welcomed Washington's decision.

In February, Trump mandated a 90-day review of the U.S. membership in UNESCO, with a particular emphasis on investigating any antisemitism or anti-Israel sentiments within the organization.

"President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO - an organization that promotes woke, divisive cultural and social initiatives that are entirely contrary to the common sense for which Americans voted in November," said the deputy spokeswoman according to the New York Post. Woke is a term broadly used for various aspects of social justice philosophy and anti-discrimination or socially liberal policies.

"This president will always put America first and ensure that our country’s membership in international organizations aligns with our national interests," Kelly added.

UNESCO Director-General Azoulay stated that she deeply regrets the decision, agencies report. "Although this is very regrettable, this announcement was anticipated, and UNESCO has prepared for it," Azoulay said.

Azoulay also denied that the organization is biased against Israel. "These claims are contrary to UNESCO's actual efforts, particularly in the area of Holocaust education and combating antisemitism," the head of the organization stated.

The U.S. State Department today, in a statement, deemed UNESCO's decision to admit Palestine as a member state to be highly problematic and contrary to U.S. policy. The decision contributed to the spread of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization, the statement says. Palestine was admitted to the organization in October 2011.

UNESCO has used its executive board to promote anti-Israel and anti-Jewish measures, Kelly stated. According to her, these include labeling Jewish holy sites as Palestinian World Heritage.

The Trump administration also has concerns regarding a 2023 anti-racism handbook published by UNESCO. In it, UNESCO calls on member states to take action against racism and efforts to ensure equality, among other things.

The U.S. government also disagrees with a 2024 initiative in which UNESCO issued a report emphasizing the organization's work in India focused on changing how men think about gender issues.

According to the Trump administration, China is exerting pressure on the organization and trying to influence it for its own benefit.

Israeli Foreign Minister Saar welcomed the U.S. decision to leave UNESCO in a post on X, stating that it is "a necessary step aimed at strengthening justice and Israel's right to fair treatment within the UN system." Israel left UNESCO on December 31, 2018, along with the U.S. during Trump’s first term, but the U.S. returned to this UN organization under the administration of Trump’s successor, President Joe Biden, in 2023. "Focusing exclusively on Israel and politicization by member states must end – both in this and in all other UN specialized agencies. Israel thanks the United States for its moral support and leadership, particularly within multilateral structures that are burdened by anti-Israel bias," Saar added, stating that the UN must reform to "maintain relevance."

The U.S. returned to UNESCO less than two years ago in July 2023 after leaving the organization during Trump’s first term. At that time, the U.S. also withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), and pulled out of the global climate agreement and the nuclear deal with Iran. With Trump’s return to the White House, the U.S. is once again withdrawing from global organizations. The American president signed an order in January to withdraw the U.S. from WHO and in February banned cooperation between the U.S. and UNHRC.