The United States has announced its decision to withdraw once again from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing concerns over what it describes as the organization’s promotion of “woke” causes and persistent anti-Israel bias. The announcement, made by the U.S. State Department on July 22, marks the latest step by the Trump administration in distancing Washington from multilateral institutions it claims do not align with American interests.
The withdrawal will formally take effect on December 31, 2026, though the United States will remain a full member until that time. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said UNESCO has veered away from its founding mission, criticizing its focus on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Bruce further stated that UNESCO’s decision to admit Palestine as a full member in 2011 continues to undermine U.S. policy and fuels anti-Israel sentiment within the organization.
This is the third major United Nations agency the U.S. has exited under President Donald Trump’s second term. Earlier this year, the administration withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Officials argue these withdrawals are necessary to ensure that U.S. participation in international bodies advances national interests and reflects the will of the American electorate. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement that Trump’s decision reflects his “America First” approach.
US cites UNESCO’s woke agenda and anti-Israel bias as key reasons for exit
She asserted that UNESCO supports cultural and social causes that are incompatible with the values Americans reaffirmed in the 2024 presidential election. Trump had ordered a formal review of U.S. membership in UNESCO in February, and officials confirmed the decision was finalized earlier this month following the completion of that review. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed regret over the U.S. decision, noting that the reasons cited mirror those given during Washington’s previous withdrawal in 2017. Azoulay emphasized that UNESCO has since diversified its funding sources and now relies on the U.S. for just eight percent of its overall budget.
She highlighted the organization’s work in Holocaust education and fighting antisemitism as evidence of its evolving agenda, and warned that the U.S. exit could have adverse effects on American institutions partnered with UNESCO on cultural and educational projects. Israel welcomed the move. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar described the withdrawal as a “necessary step” to ensure fair treatment of Israel within the UN system. He reiterated longstanding Israeli concerns that UNESCO has been used as a platform to delegitimize Israel’s historical and cultural heritage.
Israeli officials confirmed they had been informed of the U.S. decision in advance. The U.S. previously withdrew from UNESCO in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, citing financial mismanagement and anti-U.S. bias, before rejoining in 2003 under President George W. Bush following what were then described as significant reforms. Trump’s first administration also left UNESCO in 2019, with the Biden administration reversing that decision in 2023. This latest withdrawal further underscores the sharply differing views between successive administrations on the value of U.S. engagement in multilateral organizations. – By Content Syndication Services.