US Leaves UNESCO Again, Cites Bias Against Israel, ‘Divisive’ Causes

<p>The United States on Tuesday announced its withdrawal from UNESCO again, saying the UN cultural and education agency is biased against Israel and promotes ‘divisive’ causes.</p>
<p>”Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States,” the State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.</p>
<p>Bruce described UNESCO as working “to advance divisive social and cultural causes” and being focused on UN sustainability goals, which she described as a “globalist, ideological agenda,” news agency AFP reported.</p>
<p>”UNESCO’s decision to admit the ‘State of Palestine’ as a member state is highly problematic, contrary to US policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization,” she further added.</p>
<p>Donald Trump took similar steps during his first term, when he pulled US out of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN Human Rights Council, a global climate change accord, and the Iran nuclear deal. However, Joe Biden reversed Trump’s decisions after assuming office in 2021, returning the US to join UNESCO, WHO, and the climate agreement as well.</p>
<p>But with Trump returning to office once again after his second win, the US has once again been pulled out of these international bodies, which he has long criticised.</p>
<p>Apart from the UNESCO exit, Trump has also decided to quit from the WHO and also stop funding the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA as part of a review of the participation by the US in UN agencies, due to be concluded in August, Reuters reported.</p>
<p>UNESCO, which stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, is known for designating World Heritage Sites, including the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park in the US, Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra, and the Sundarbans and Elephanta Caves in India.</p>
<p>Nearly eight percent of UNESCO’s total budget comes from the US, which is down from about 20 percent at the time when Trump first led the US out of the UN agency.</p>
<p>Notably, Trump is not the first US President to have pulled out of UNESCO. In 1980s, President Ronald Reagan also ended the US membership, saying the agency was corrupt and pro-Soviet. However, the US rejoined under George W. Bush’s presidency.</p>