The administration of former President Donald Trump recently confirmed that the United States will withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in response to its decision to admit the State of Palestine as a member. This withdrawal is scheduled to take effect in December 2026.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that UNESCO’s mission was not aligned with the United States’ “national interest,” labeling the agency’s activities as divisive. The decision was influenced by various points of contention, notably Palestine’s UNESCO membership and allegations of biased sentiment against Israel within the organization. Palestine has been a member of UNESCO since 2011, although the United States does not formally recognize it as a sovereign state.
Bruce articulated concerns that the admission of Palestine as a member state contravenes U.S. foreign policy and could exacerbate anti-Israel narratives within the agency. She criticized UNESCO’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to combat issues such as poverty, promote gender equality, and address climate change. According to her, these goals reflect what she termed a “globalist, ideological agenda.”
This is not the first instance of the United States severing ties with UNESCO during the Trump administration. A similar withdrawal occurred in 2018, with motivations once again linked to claims of anti-Israel bias. In 2023, the United States rejoined UNESCO under President Joe Biden; however, with Trump’s return to office for a second term beginning in January, he has been restructuring U.S. engagement with various international organizations.
As part of his “America First” approach, Trump’s recent decisions reflect an intent to reassess American participation in global entities perceived as misaligned with national priorities. In a recent statement, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly reiterated this stance, asserting that support for international organizations must correspond with U.S. interests.
In response to the U.S. withdrawal, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed his perspective on social media, noting that this decision underscores the unfair treatment Israel often encounters internationally. He emphasized the need for reforms within the UN system to ensure equality among all member states.
However, UNESCO officials have challenged the notion of unfair treatment within their organization, reaffirming their commitment to inclusivity. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay emphasized that the United States is always welcome as a member and that the withdrawal would not diminish UNESCO’s ongoing collaboration with American partners in academia and the private sector.
The U.S. has played a significant role as a diplomatic ally of Israel for decades, navigating a complex landscape of international relations, particularly in the Middle East. As humanitarian concerns mount amid ongoing conflicts, there is increasing scrutiny of U.S. support for Israeli military actions in Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis is dire, as highlighted by numerous reports from UN officials and health organizations.
This ongoing situation serves as a catalyst for discussions around the future of international cooperation and the balance of global governance.
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