The Trump administration announced Tuesday it will again withdraw the United States from UNESCO, two years after the Biden administration had rejoined the U.N. cultural agency.
The move, effective December 2026, follows concerns over what the administration calls UNESCO’s “divisive social and cultural causes.” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the decision was influenced by UNESCO’s 2011 recognition of the “State of Palestine,” which she called “highly problematic” and contrary to U.S. policy.
“This contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric,” Bruce added.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed regret but said the agency was prepared. She denied bias, stating it “contradicts the reality of UNESCO’s efforts, particularly in the field of Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism.”
Danny Danon, Israel’s U.N. ambassador, praised the decision as a “fitting response” to UNESCO’s “misguided anti-Israel bias.”
Rep. Gregory Meeks criticized the move, saying, “This decision cedes more ground to U.S. competitors, especially China.”
The U.S. had previously exited UNESCO in 1984 and rejoined in 2003. Its current contribution is only 8% of the agency’s budget.
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