US Announces Withdrawal From UNESCO

The United States on Tuesday announced its withdrawal from UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural and education agency, accusing it of being biased against Israel and promoting “divisive” causes.

“Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States,” said a State Department spokeswoman.

The move had been anticipated under the administration of former President Donald Trump, who first ordered the U.S. to leave the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2017. President Joe Biden later reversed that decision and rejoined the agency during his term.

However, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce reiterated longstanding U.S. concerns, saying UNESCO has worked “to advance divisive social and cultural causes” and has placed excessive focus on UN sustainability goals, which she criticized as a “globalist, ideological agenda”.

Bruce also criticized UNESCO’s recognition of Palestine as a state, a decision that has drawn U.S. opposition for years.

“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 said.

UNESCO, for its part, describes its mission as promoting global cooperation in education, science, and cultural understanding. It is perhaps best known for overseeing the World Heritage Sites list, which aims to preserve natural and historical landmarks such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Serengeti in Tanzania, the Acropolis in Athens, and Egypt’s Pyramids.

This is not the first time the United States has exited the organization. President Ronald Reagan pulled the U.S. out in the 1980s, citing corruption and what he saw as a pro-Soviet bias. The U.S. later rejoined under President George W. Bush.

As of the time of this report, UNESCO has not issued a formal response to the latest withdrawal.