Washington (TDI): The administration of US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the US is going to leave the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) because the organization decided to make the State of Palestine a member country.
Tammy Bruce, State Department Spokesperson, mentioned that membership in UNESCO is contrary to the US national interests and called the organization’s mission “divisive”.
She pointed out Palestine’s participation in the organization and also argued the “anti-Israel” sentiments. Bruce posted on X saying, “UNESCO strayed from its founding mission.”
Today, the United States announced our decision to withdraw from UNESCO. Like many UN organizations, UNESCO strayed from its founding mission. Going forward, U.S. participation in international organizations must make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
— Tammy Bruce (@statedeptspox) July 22, 2025
Since 2011, Palestine has been a member, but the US doesn’t recognize its sovereignty. Bruce said that, “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 also denounced UNESCO’s work and commitment towards UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include gender equality, reducing poverty, and addressing climate change. She called those goals proof of “globalist, ideological agenda”.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly also wrote on social media that the President will always put America First and the US’s membership in all international organizations must align with the country’s national interests.
🚨 NEW: President Trump has decided to withdraw from UNESCO – which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes.
The President will always put America First. Our membership in all international organizations must align with our national interests.https://t.co/UQ6bxuj3Xo
— Anna Kelly (@AnnaKelly47) July 22, 2025
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on social media that the US’s decision to withdraw from UNESCO is proof that his country has not been treated fairly.
“This is a necessary step, designed to promote justice and Israel’s right for fair treatment in the UN system, a right which has often been trampled due to politicization in this arena,” Saar said.
“Singling out Israel and politicization by member states must end, in this and all professional UN agencies.”
We welcome the US administration’s decision to withdraw from UNESCO.
This is a necessary step, designed to promote justice and Israel’s right for fair treatment in the UN system, a right which has often been trampled due to politicization in this
arena.Singling out Israel and…
— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) July 22, 2025
In the end, he thanked the US for its moral support in a multilateral arena that is filled with anti-Israel sentiments.
UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay said that UNESCO’s purpose is to welcome all the states of the world, and the United States is and always will be welcome.
She also said that the US’s withdrawal from UNESCO wasn’t something unexpected and that it is not going to stop UNESCO from engaging with other organizations in the US.
An IR student whose interest lies in diplomacy and current affairs and a part time debater
