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International cooperation

United States to Leave UNESCO for Third Time Due to Alleged Anti-Israel Bias

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United States will again withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) due to concerns over the agency's alleged anti-Israel bias, marking the third time the country has left the Paris-based organization. This decision comes just two years after the Biden administration rejoined UNESCO, following a five-year absence under the Trump administration. The move is set to take effect at the end of 2026, dealing a significant blow to the organization.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United States will leave UNESCO for the third time, citing anti-Israel bias as the reason.
  • The decision comes two years after the Biden administration rejoined the organization.
  • The U.S. withdrawal will take effect at the end of 2026.
  • This marks the second time a Trump administration has pulled the United States out of UNESCO.
  • The U.S. initially joined UNESCO in 1945 but withdrew for the first time in 1984 due to financial mismanagement and perceived anti-U.S. bias.
  • President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of UNESCO in 2019, but the Biden administration rejoined in 2021.
  • The U.S. provides approximately 8% of UNESCO's total budget, down from about 20% at the time of the first withdrawal.
  • The organization is best known for designating World Heritage Sites, including the Grand Canyon in the United States and the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria.

Statistics:

  • The United States will leave UNESCO for the third time.
  • The withdrawal is set to take effect at the end of 2026.
  • The U.S. provides approximately 8% of UNESCO's total budget.
  • The United States initially joined UNESCO in 1945 and withdrew for the first time in 1984.
  • The U.S. provided about 20% of the agency's budget at the time of the first withdrawal.
  • The world is home to over 1,000 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sources:

  • Shubham Kalia, "The United States will again pull out of the U.N.'s educational, scientific and cultural agency because of what Washington sees as its anti-Israel bias, only two years after rejoining" (no publication date provided)

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