The United States will once again withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), President Donald Trump’s administration announced Tuesday, citing the agency’s “anti-Israel rhetoric,” “divisive cultural agenda,” and “pro-Palestinian bias.” The decision follows a 90-day review ordered by Trump earlier this year, and marks the third major withdrawal from a UN agency during his current term.
“UNESCO works to advance divisive social and cultural causes,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. She pointed to the UN agency’s emphasis on globalist sustainable development goals and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs as incompatible with American values. Bruce also called UNESCO’s 2011 recognition of the “State of Palestine” as a member state “highly problematic,” adding that it has fueled a growing wave of anti-Israel sentiment in the organization.
White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly echoed those concerns, stating, “President Trump will always put America First and ensure our country’s membership in international organizations aligns with our national interests. UNESCO supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November.”
The withdrawal, which will take effect on December 31, 2026, was hailed by Israeli officials as a bold stand against UN bias. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar welcomed the move, saying, “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 this arena.”
Sa’ar added, “Singling out Israel and politicization by member states must end, in this and all professional UN agencies. Israel thanks the US for its moral support and leadership, especially in the multilateral arena which is plagued with anti-Israel discrimination.”
The Trump administration’s review cited multiple instances of perceived anti-Israel actions by UNESCO, including the labeling of Jewish holy sites as “Palestinian World Heritage” locations, referring to the Judea and Samaria (West Bank) as “occupied Palestinian territory,” and condemning Israeli military actions while failing to criticize Hamas. Additionally, officials raised concerns over China’s growing influence within UNESCO, noting that Beijing is the agency’s second-largest donor and has placed Chinese nationals in senior positions.
This is not the first time Trump has taken action against UNESCO. In 2017, during his first term, the U.S. and Israel both quit the agency over similar grievances. The U.S. later rejoined under President Joe Biden in 2023, a move Israel reportedly did not oppose at the time. However, with Trump back in office, the administration has doubled down on its America First approach and is re-evaluating participation in numerous international institutions.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed “deep regret” over the U.S. decision, insisting that the agency’s efforts have evolved since the last withdrawal. “The reasons put forward by the United States to withdraw from the organization are the same as seven years ago, even though the situation has changed profoundly,” Azoulay said. “UNESCO today constitutes a rare forum for consensus on concrete and action-oriented multilateralism.”
Azoulay, a Jewish former French culture minister, highlighted UNESCO’s efforts in promoting Holocaust education and combating antisemitism. She pointed to collaboration with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, World Jewish Congress, and American Jewish Committee, and noted that UNESCO has helped 85 countries implement programs to teach about genocide and fight Holocaust denial.
Despite those claims, critics within the Trump administration remained unconvinced, citing new DEI-linked initiatives such as a 2023 “anti-racism toolkit,” a 2024 “Transforming MEN’talities” campaign to reshape gender norms, and video game programs promoting gender equality as evidence of ideological overreach.
UN Ambassador Danny Danon applauded the move, calling it “a proper response to UNESCO’s consistent anti-Israel bias — an organization that has lost its way.”
UNESCO’s funding has already seen major shifts since the U.S. first pulled out in 2017. At that time, Washington contributed approximately 20% of the agency’s budget. Today, the figure is around 8%. With the impending departure, UNESCO will be forced to further diversify its funding sources — while the U.S. once again shrinks its footprint within the UN system.
President Trump’s decision also aligns with a broader trend of disengagement from international bodies. Earlier this year, the administration moved to pull out of the World Health Organization and freeze funding to the Palestinian-focused UNRWA. Additional agency reviews are expected by August.
