United States Withdraws from UNESCO Over 'Woke' Policies and Anti-Israel Sentiment

On July 23, 2025, the United States announced its withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), effective December 31, 2026. The decision, stated by White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly and State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, was made because UNESCO promotes "woke, divisive cultural and social causes" that conflict with the policy priorities of the American administration.

UNESCO is a UN agency focusing on education, science, culture, and communication to promote worldwide peace and is known for designating World Heritage Sites, including the Grand Canyon National Park in the US. The US was a founding member in 1945, withdrew in 1984 due to financial and bias concerns, rejoined in 2003 under President George W. Bush, withdrew again under the first Trump administration, rejoined under President Biden, and now is withdrawing again in 2025.

The withdrawal follows a review ordered by President Donald Trump after his second term began, which included scrutiny of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment within UNESCO. The US government criticized UNESCO for advancing divisive social and cultural agendas and for its focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, described as a globalist ideological program conflicting with the US's "America First" policy. Furthermore, the US condemned UNESCO's admission of the State of Palestine as a member, labeling it against US policy and responsible for increasing anti-Israel rhetoric.

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed deep regret over the US withdrawal, stating that it contradicts multilateralism principles and will impact many US partners. The US withdrawal continues a pattern of disengagement from international organizations under the Trump administration, including efforts to end Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives domestically.

On a decision announced in 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the United States to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with the withdrawal set to take effect on December 31, 2026. The White House stated that the move is a continuation of President Trump's policy to leave international institutions that, according to officials, promote "woke, divisive cultural and social causes" that conflict with the policies Americans supported in the November elections. The administration also criticized UNESCO for alleged anti-Israel bias and its 2011 admission of the State of Palestine as a member state, which it said led to increased anti-Israel rhetoric within UNESCO.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said UNESCO supports causes that are "totally out of step with commonsense policies," while State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce claimed continued U.S. participation was not in the national interest and condemned the organization's focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a "globalist, ideological agenda" inconsistent with the America's First foreign policy.

The U.S. was a founding member of UNESCO in 1945 but withdrew in 1984 over concerns of financial mismanagement and perceived bias against U.S. interests. It rejoined in 2003 under President George W. Bush after reforms, withdrew again during President Trump’s first administration, and rejoined under President Biden. The current withdrawal echoes the former decision and demonstrates the current administration's continued disengagement from certain multilateral institutions.

UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed deep regret over the decision, stating it contradicts the principles of multilateralism and will primarily affect UNESCO's many U.S.-based partners. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed the withdrawal, calling it a necessary step to promote justice and ensure Israel’s fair treatment within the UN system.

This withdrawal is the third from a UN agency by the Trump administration, following earlier departures from the World Health Organization and the Human Rights Council. The decision came after a review ordered by President Trump in February 2025, with a report submitted in May 2025, and involved no recent high-level engagement with UNESCO.