2025-07-22T13:24:50+00:00
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Shafaq News – Washington
President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to
withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), citing the agency’s alleged anti-Israel bias, and
pro-China alignment.
The decision follows a 90-day White House review into US
participation in UNESCO, focusing on the agency’s diversity and gender
programs, its stance on Israel, and growing Chinese influence within the
organization.
“President Trump has decided to withdraw from UNESCO –
which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes,” said Deputy White
House Spokesperson Anna Kelly in a statement. “The President will always put
America First.”
🚨 NEW: President Trump has decided to withdraw from UNESCO – which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes.The President will always put America First. Our membership in all international organizations must align with our national interests.https://t.co/UQ6bxuj3Xo
— Anna Kelly (@AnnaKelly47) July 22, 2025
UNESCO, based in Paris, is known for promoting global
cooperation in education, culture, and science, and for its designation of
World Heritage Sites. The US has played a foundational role in the organization
since 1945 and currently provides around 8% of its total budget.
Among the grievances cited by the Trump administration are
UNESCO’s 2023 “anti-racism toolkit,” its 2024 “Transforming MEN’talities”
campaign targeting gender stereotypes, and a study exploring how video games
could challenge discrimination. The White House said these initiatives reflect
an ideological agenda incompatible with American values.
Criticism also centered on UNESCO’s designation of several
Jewish religious sites as Palestinian heritage locations and its consistent
reference to Israeli presence in Palestinian territories as “occupation.” A
White House official claimed the agency has repeatedly passed resolutions
critical of Israel while failing to condemn Hamas.
The administration further accused Beijing of using its
financial leverage and personnel within UNESCO, including Deputy
Director-General Xing Qu, to promote narratives aligned with Chinese state
interests, particularly in downplaying the role of Uyghur Muslims in national
history.
Israeli Foreign Minister welcomed the decision, calling the
move a justified response to what he described as UNESCO’s persistent bias
against Israel.
We welcome the US administration’s decision to withdraw from UNESCO.This is a necessary step, designed to promote justice and Israel’s right for fair treatment in the UN system, a right which has often been trampled due to politicization in thisarena. Singling out Israel and…
— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) July 22, 2025
Trump had previously ordered the US out of UNESCO in 2017,
citing similar concerns, but President Joe Biden reversed the decision and
restored membership in 2023.
The United States will remain a full member of UNESCO until
the withdrawal formally takes effect on December 31, 2026. A broader review of
US participation in international bodies is still underway, with further
announcements expected by August.
Tuesday’s move aligns with a broader pattern of US
withdrawals from international organizations under Trump, especially those he
deems ideologically driven or contrary to American interests. The list
includes:
• World Health
Organization (WHO) – over COVID-19 handling and Chinese influence.
• UN Human
Rights Council (UNHRC) – over alleged bias against Israel.
• Paris
Climate Agreement – citing economic disadvantage to US industries.
• Iran Nuclear
Deal (JCPOA) – claiming it failed to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
• UN Relief
and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) – over alleged corruption and
bias.
• Trans-Pacific
Partnership (TPP) – opposing multilateral trade deals.
• Global
Compact for Migration – over concerns about immigration sovereignty.
• Intermediate-Range
Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty – citing Russian violations.
• Open Skies
Treaty – due to security and compliance issues.
• Arms Trade
Treaty (ATT) – citing concerns over Second Amendment rights.
