US Withdraws from UN Human Rights Council

Trump Makes Controversial Decision at the UN
Impact on Palestinian Refugees
Relations with Israel and Netanyahu

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed an executive order this Tuesday to withdraw his country from the United Nations Human Rights Council and continue suspending funds for the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).

This decision coincides with a scheduled meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House.

Netanyahu has repeatedly criticized UNRWA and the UN Human Rights Council, accusing them of being biased against Israel.

«I have always felt that the UN has tremendous potential, but it is not living up to it at this time. It has long been ineffective.»

US Withdraws from the UN Human Rights Council

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President Donald Trump signs an executive order to withdraw the United States from the UN Human Rights Council and suspend funds to UNRWA.

The US role in UNESCO will also be reviewed. pic.twitter.com/nf7rojxhbf

– UHN Plus (@uhn_plus) February 4, 2025

«There are great expectations for it, but, to be honest, it is not well-managed,» Trump told the press at the White House.

«They have to be fair to those countries that deserve fairness,» he added, without directly referring to Israel’s claims.

During the event, Trump stated that both organizations need to «get their house in order» before receiving support from the US.

According to a White House statement, the UN Human Rights Council has shown a «constant bias against Israel.»

It has also allowed countries like Iran, China, and Cuba to use it to «protect themselves despite their severe human rights violations.»

The executive order also instructs the Secretary of State to review and report on international bodies that may be promoting «radical or anti-American sentiments.»

In this context, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is mentioned as one of the entities that would require an «accelerated review.»

This is not the first time Trump has taken such actions.

Trump’s Past

During his first term (2017-2021), he had already withdrawn the US from the UN Human Rights Council and suspended funding to UNRWA, pressuring Palestinians to resume peace negotiations with Israel.

Since the start of his second term on January 20, Trump has ordered the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Decisions similar to those he made in his first term in the White House, according to EFE.