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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Not in our national interest': Trump pulls US out of UNESCO; cites anti-Israel bias, pro-China tilt
The United States is once again pulling out of UNESCO, citing what the Trump administration calls 'anti-Israel bias', 'pro-China influence', and a 'woke agenda' that no longer aligns with American values. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed the move, describing UNESCO's 2011 vote to admit the 'State of Palestine' as a member state as a 'highly problematic' move that 'contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organisation.' Show more Show less
Shafaq News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Trump orders US withdrawal from UNESCO over bias on Israel
Shafaq News – Washington President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing the agency's alleged anti-Israel bias, and pro-China alignment. The decision follows a 90-day White House review into US participation in UNESCO, focusing on the agency's diversity and gender programs, its stance on Israel, and growing Chinese influence within the organization. 'President Trump has decided to withdraw from UNESCO – which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes,' said Deputy White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly in a statement. 'The President will always put America First.' 🚨 NEW: President Trump has decided to withdraw from UNESCO – which supports woke, divisive cultural and social President will always put America First. Our membership in all international organizations must align with our national interests. — Anna Kelly (@AnnaKelly47) July 22, 2025 UNESCO, based in Paris, is known for promoting global cooperation in education, culture, and science, and for its designation of World Heritage Sites. The US has played a foundational role in the organization since 1945 and currently provides around 8% of its total budget. Among the grievances cited by the Trump administration are UNESCO's 2023 'anti-racism toolkit,' its 2024 'Transforming MEN'talities' campaign targeting gender stereotypes, and a study exploring how video games could challenge discrimination. The White House said these initiatives reflect an ideological agenda incompatible with American values. Criticism also centered on UNESCO's designation of several Jewish religious sites as Palestinian heritage locations and its consistent reference to Israeli presence in Palestinian territories as 'occupation.' A White House official claimed the agency has repeatedly passed resolutions critical of Israel while failing to condemn Hamas. The administration further accused Beijing of using its financial leverage and personnel within UNESCO, including Deputy Director-General Xing Qu, to promote narratives aligned with Chinese state interests, particularly in downplaying the role of Uyghur Muslims in national history. Israeli Foreign Minister welcomed the decision, calling the move a justified response to what he described as UNESCO's persistent bias against Israel. We welcome the US administration's decision to withdraw from 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 thisarena. Singling out Israel and… — Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) July 22, 2025 Trump had previously ordered the US out of UNESCO in 2017, citing similar concerns, but President Joe Biden reversed the decision and restored membership in 2023. The United States will remain a full member of UNESCO until the withdrawal formally takes effect on December 31, 2026. A broader review of US participation in international bodies is still underway, with further announcements expected by August. Tuesday's move aligns with a broader pattern of US withdrawals from international organizations under Trump, especially those he deems ideologically driven or contrary to American interests. The list includes: • World Health Organization (WHO) – over COVID-19 handling and Chinese influence. • UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) – over alleged bias against Israel. • Paris Climate Agreement – citing economic disadvantage to US industries. • Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) – claiming it failed to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions. • UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) – over alleged corruption and bias. • Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – opposing multilateral trade deals. • Global Compact for Migration – over concerns about immigration sovereignty. •
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Too 'woke' for America? Donald Trump pulls US out of Unesco; DEI policies, pro-Palestinian, pro-China tilt prime reasons
US President Donald Trump pulled out America from Unesco over its support for "woke, divisive cultural and social causes" including DEI policies, pro-Palestinian and pro-China tilt. "Continued involvement in Unesco is not in the national interest of the United States," AFP reported quoting state department spokeswoman. Back in February, Trump had directed a 90-day review of the US role in Unesco, focusing particularly on examining any 'anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment within the organization.' "Upon conducting the review, administration officials took issue with Unesco's diversity, equity and inclusion policies as well as its pro-Palestinian and pro-China bias," the New York Post reported citing White House official. 'China has leveraged its influence over Unesco to advance global standards that are favorable to Beijing's interests,' the official said. 'President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from Unesco – which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November,' White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly said. 'This President will always put America First and ensure our country's membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests,' Kelly added. Critics have pointed to Unesco's 2023 release of an 'anti-racism toolkit' and its 2024 'Transforming MEN'talities' campaign as examples behind Trump's concern. The toolkit urged member states to embrace 'anti-racist' policies and engage in a 'race to the top' to position themselves as leading voices for social justice, by confronting their histories of racism and committing to equity-driven reforms. The States initially pulled out of the UN agency in 1983 during the then President Ronald Reagan's administration, arguing that Unesco had overly politicized nearly every issue it addressed, shown clear antagonism toward free societies, particularly free markets and a free press, and engaged in unchecked budgetary growth.
New York Post
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump to pull US out of UNESCO over DEI policies, pro-Palestinian, pro-China tilt
WASHINGTON — President Trump is pulling the US out of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), citing its anti-America and anti-Israel leanings as well as its woke agenda, The Post has learned. Trump ordered a 90-day review of America's presence in UNESCO back in February, with special emphasis on probing any 'anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment within the organization.' Upon conducting the review, administration officials took issue with UNESCO's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies as well as its pro-Palestinian and pro-China bias, a White House official told The Post. Advertisement 5 President Trump will pull the US out of UNESCO again due to their anti-Israel and pro-China stances. AFP via Getty Images 'President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO – which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November,' White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly said. 'This President will always put America First and ensure our country's membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests.' Advertisement Among the faults cited are UNESCO's publication of an 'anti-racism toolkit' in 2023 and their 2024 'Transforming MEN'talities' initiative, the former of which called on member states to adopt 'anti-racist' policies and compete in a 'race to the top' to be the foremost social justice advocate, answering questions about the history of racism in their jurisdictions and then working to ensure equity. 5 A view of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) headquarters on July 10, 2025 in Paris, France. VCG via Getty Images The 'MEN'talities' initiative published a report highlighting the organization's work in India aimed at reshaping how 'men think about gender issues' — especially 'harmful gender norms.' The gender program also published a video game report last year that looked into how games could 'promote gender equality.' Advertisement 'It is not only about controlling the negative impacts, but also relying on video games to address socio-cultural stereotypes and encourage positive, antidiscriminatory behaviors,' Assistant-Director General for the Social and Human Sciences Gabriela Ramos said at the time. 5 Aerial view of the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. VCG via Getty Images Meanwhile, UNESCO used its Executive Board to force through anti-Israel and anti-Jewish actions, including designating Jewish holy sites as 'Palestinian World Heritage' sites, the White House official said. UNESCO frequently uses language stating that Palestine is 'occupied' by Israel and condemns the Jewish state's war on Hamas, without criticizing the terror group's brutal reign over Gaza. Advertisement In addition, Beijing is the second largest funder of UNESCO, with Chinese nationals like deputy director-general Xing Qu in key leadership positions. 5 'This President will always put America First and ensure our country's membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests,' Anna Kelly said. Gripas Yuri/ABACA/Shutterstock 'China has leveraged its influence over UNESCO to advance global standards that are favorable to Beijing's interests,' the official said. The Chinese Communist Party has particularly been criticized for using its influence in UNESCO to downplay the role of minorities like Uyghur Muslims in the nation's history. Trump initially ordered the US out of UNESCO in 2017, then as now citing anti-Israel bias. 5 Former President Joe Biden ordered the US to rejoin UNESCO in 2023 with the promise of repaying over $600 million in membership dues. VCG via Getty Images The US first withdrew from the UN organization in 1983 under former President Ronald Reagan, saying at the time that the organization 'has extraneously politicized virtually every subject it deals with. It has exhibited hostility toward a free society, especially a free market and a free press, and it has demonstrated unrestrained budgetary expansion.' Advertisement Former President Joe Biden made the US rejoin UNESCO in 2023, arguing an American presence was needed to counter China's growing hold on the organization. The Biden administration also vowed to pay back more than $600 million in dues incurred since the US stopped contributing in 2011 due to the inclusion of Palestine as a member.
Newsweek
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Trump Pulling US From 'Woke' UNESCO
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The White House said President Donald Trump has decided to pull the U.S. from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) after a review of American participation in the agency. "President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO—which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November," White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly told The New York Post. "This President will always put America First and ensure our country's membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests." The administration's review identified issues with UNESCO's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies, and what it saw as a pro-Palestinian and pro-China bias, The Post reported. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
