President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order directing renewed scrutiny of three United Nations organizations: the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The order formalizes the United States’ withdrawal from the UNHRC and halts all future funding for UNRWA. Additionally, it mandates an expedited review of UNESCO to assess potential “anti-Israel bias.”
The directive also requires Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evaluate and report on “international organizations, conventions, or treaties,” that may promote radical or “anti-American sentiment.”
Citing concerns over UNRWA’s alleged ties to terrorism, the order states that the agency has been “anti-Semitic and anti-Israel,” referencing reports that some of its “staff,” participated in the October 7th terrorist attacks against Israel. It further highlights the use of UNRWA facilities by Hamas and other militant groups for storing weapons and constructing tunnels.
“UNRWA has reportedly been infiltrated by members of groups long designated by the Secretary of State (Secretary) as foreign terrorist organizations, and UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel,” the order noted. It also criticizes the UNHRC for shielding human rights violators and describes UNESCO as having demonstrated persistent anti-Israel sentiment over the past decade.
The order directs the Secretary of State to formally notify the UN Secretary-General and the leadership of UNRWA and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that the U.S. will no longer fund UNRWA or the UNHRC, nor will it “satisfy any claims to pay 2025 assessments or prior arrears by these organizations.”
Furthermore, according to the order, the U.S. will not participate in the UNHRC or seek election to the Council. The Secretary is instructed to terminate the Office of the U.S. Representative to the UNHRC and any associated positions.
As for UNESCO, the order requires a thorough review of U.S. membership, to be conducted within 90 days, led by the Secretary of State in coordination with the U.S. Ambassador to the UN.
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