US Withdraws From UNESCO, Israel Follows Suit
The US Department of State on Thursday notified UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova of the decision to withdraw from the organization and to seek to establish a permanent observer mission to UNESCO.
Following the US decision, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he has instructed the Israeli Foreign Ministry to also withdraw from UNESCO.
Netanyahu called the US action, “a brave and moral decision.”
State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a press statement that, “This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO.”
According to Nauert, the US indicated to the Director General its desire to remain engaged with UNESCO as a non-member observer state in order to contribute US views, perspectives and expertise on some of the important issues undertaken by the organization, including the protection of world heritage, advocating for press freedoms, and promoting scientific collaboration and education.
Pursuant to Article II(6) of the UNESCO Constitution, U.S. withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2018. The United States will remain a full member of UNESCO until that time.