Why is Donald Trump pulling US out of UNESCO? This is second American exit from UN body under Republican leader

US President Donald Trump is set to pull the US out of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), marking the second time the country did so under the Republican leader.

Why is Donald Trump withdrawing US from UNESCO?

President Trump cited pro-Palestinian and pro-China bias of the UN body while also slamming UNESCO's woke policies on diversity, equity and inclusion. This development comes after Trump initiated a 90-day review on US membership in the UNESCO back in February. The probe focused on "anti-semitism and anti-Israel sentiment" in the UN body.

Confirming that Trump has approved the US exit from UNESCO, White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly said the UN body backs "woke and divisive" policies. She said this is "totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies" sought by Americans in the Presidential elections in November.

"This President will always put America First and ensure our country’s membership in all international organizations aligns with our national interests," she said.

UNESCO published an "anti-racism toolkit" in 2023 and launched an programme called "Transforming MEN’talities", both of which are cited as wrong by the Trump administration. The White House spokesperson said the UNESCO move to designate Jewish holy sites as "Palestinian World Heritage" sites is "anti-Israel and anti-Jewish". She also slammed the UN body for calling Palestine as "occupied" by Israel and for condemning Israeli war on Hamas without addressing the militant outfit's actions.

Kelly also claimed that China, being the second largest fundraiser for UNESCO to push policies favourable to Beijing.

Trump withdrew the US from UNESCO back in 2017 over anti-Israel policies. In 2023, President Joe Biden brought the US back into UNESCO fold, emphasising that it is important to counter China.

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