- President Trump is withdrawing the U.S. from UNESCO, citing anti-America and anti-Israel bias.
- The decision follows a 90-day internal review ordered in February 2025.
- UNESCO’s DEI policies and pro-Palestinian, pro-China stances were flagged as concerns.
- The White House criticized UNESCO for labeling Jewish sites as Palestinian heritage.
- This move echoes Trump’s first-term withdrawals from other global organizations and accords.
The Big Picture
President Donald Trump has decided to pull the United States out of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing concerns over the agency’s alleged “anti-America” and “anti-Israel” bias, according to the New York Post.
What’s New
Trump ordered a 90-day internal review of U.S. participation in UNESCO in February 2025. The review was aimed at identifying “anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment within the organization,” as reported by the New York Post, citing a White House official.
Driving the Decision
According to the same White House official, the review found that UNESCO had engaged in what the administration calls “divisive” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and exhibited pro-Palestinian and pro-China leanings. The administration pointed specifically to the labeling of Jewish religious sites as “Palestinian World Heritage” locations, and the organization’s descriptions of Israel as an occupying force in Palestinian territories.
The White House also criticized the agency for denouncing Israel’s military operations in Gaza without condemning Hamas, the group that governs the Gaza Strip, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization.
Historical Context
This is not Trump’s first exit from a multilateral institution. During his first term, he withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization, the United Nations Human Rights Council, and the Paris Climate Accord. The U.S. re-entered the climate agreement under President Biden in 2021, only to exit it again following Trump’s return to the White House in 2025.
What’s Next
UNESCO has not yet responded publicly to the U.S. withdrawal. Analysts say the departure could undermine American influence over global cultural policy and education initiatives, especially in sensitive geopolitical regions where UNESCO operates.
The Bottom Line
By removing the U.S. from UNESCO, the Trump administration is reinforcing its broader “America First” agenda, pulling back from international bodies it sees as misaligned with U.S. values. Whether this strengthens American sovereignty or isolates it diplomatically remains a point of debate.
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