Trump criticises UNESCO’s acceptance of Palestine as a state, triggering renewed diplomatic tensions and marking another instance of his administration distancing itself from multilateral institutions. The decision to once again withdraw the United States from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) follows just two years after Washington rejoined the agency under President Biden’s leadership. Trump criticises UNESCO’s acceptance of Palestine as a state, calling the move “highly problematic” and inconsistent with long-standing American policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This is the second time Trump criticises UNESCO’s acceptance of Palestine as a state by pulling the US out of the agency, the first being in 2018 during his previous administration. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce reiterated that continued involvement with UNESCO is “not in the national interest of the United States,” further stating that the agency promotes “divisive social and cultural causes.” Trump criticises UNESCO’s acceptance of Palestine as a state and views it as part of a broader globalist agenda that clashes with his “America First” policy approach.
UNESCO’s World Heritage program, which includes more than 1,200 cultural and natural landmarks across 194 member states—including iconic US sites such as the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon—may face setbacks following the US withdrawal. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay expressed regret over the US decision, stressing that Trump criticises UNESCO’s acceptance of Palestine as a state at the cost of multilateral cooperation and cultural preservation. She noted that the withdrawal could hinder American communities seeking benefits from UNESCO’s programs, including World Heritage status and educational collaborations.
Trump criticises UNESCO’s acceptance of Palestine as a state, citing not only political objections but also dissatisfaction with the agency’s emphasis on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. These include eradicating poverty, promoting gender equality, and advancing clean energy—objectives the Trump administration frames as ideological overreach. Trump criticises UNESCO’s acceptance of Palestine as a state as being reflective of a perceived institutional bias that undermines US and Israeli interests.
The 2011 decision by UNESCO to admit Palestine as a full member remains a central point of contention. Trump criticises UNESCO’s acceptance of Palestine as a state as contributing to what he describes as an increasing trend of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization. This narrative continues to shape the Trump administration’s foreign policy moves, especially in its approach to international agencies perceived to challenge its strategic alliances and national priorities.
