US, Israel Withdraw From UNESCO

The United States and Israel are withdrawing from UNESCO, citing a perceived anti-Israel bias. 

The U.S. State Department released a statement saying: 

“On October 12, 2017, the Department of State notified UNESCO director-general Irina Bokova of the U.S. decision to withdraw from the organization and to seek to establish a permanent observer mission to UNESCO. This decision was not taken lightly and reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO.

The U.S. will officially withdraw at the end of 2018 but would like to remain as a nonmember observer state.

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According to the State Department, the U.S. would like to continue to “contribute U.S. views, perspectives and expertise on some of the important issues undertaken by the organization, including the protection of world heritage, advocating for press freedoms, and promoting scientific collaboration and education.”

UNESCO is well known by travelers for the heritage sites and reserves it protects around the world but the organization's mission has a broader scope that includes fostering and maintaining intellectual solidarity. 

The U.S. stopped its UNESCO funding when the organization voted to include Palestine as a member state in 2011. Currently, the U.S. owes $550 million to UNESCO since that time. Its withdrawal will halt the growing funding bill.

Following the U.S. pullout from UNESCO, Israel followed suit. Isreal has complained over the years that the organization was inserting itself into international relations and taking sides on the issue of Palestine. 

“Today is a new day at the U.N., where there is a price to pay for discrimination against Israel,” Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said to Reuters.

UNESCO responded with its own statement in which Bokova said: 

“At the time when conflicts continue to tear apart societies across the world, it is deeply regrettable for the United States to withdraw from the United Nations agency promoting education for peace and protecting culture under attack. This is a loss to the United Nations family. This is a loss for multilateralism.” 

READ MORE: 6 German Caves Receive World Heritage Status

Even though the U.S. has been with UNESCO since its inception, it has had a long history of disputes with the organization mostly having to do with its recognition of Israel. The most recent conflict occurred this year when UNESCO recognized the city of Hebron, but included it for Palestine and not Israel. 

At the time, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called the decision “another delusional decision by UNESCO.”

Whether or not the decision will affect U.S. sites protected by UNESCO remains to be seen.

In 2015, Philadelphia was named the first UNESCO World Heritage City in the U.S. According to a report in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the city’s mayor said the city was “disappointed by the decision” and that officials were trying to determine what will happen to Philly’s status as a World Heritage City.

Other sites protected by UNESCO in the U.S. include popularly landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Independence Hall and the San Antonio Missions. Natural landmarks include the Grand Canyon, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Yellowstone, Yosemite and more. Overall, there are more than 20 UNESCO sites in the U.S.