Al Jazeera


The United States and Israel have officially quit the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day, the culmination of a process triggered more than a year ago.

The withdrawal is mainly procedural yet serves a new blow to UNESCO, co-founded by the US after World War II to foster peace.

The Trump administration filed its notice to withdraw in October 2017 and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu followed suit, accusing the UN agency of anti-Israel bias.

The Paris-based organisation has previously criticised Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem and granted full membership to Palestine in 2011.

UNESCO is best known for its work to preserve heritage, including maintaining a list of World Heritage sites, and programmes to promote education in developing countries.

The withdrawals will not greatly affect UNESCO financially, since it has been dealing with a funding slash ever since 2011 when both Israel and the US stopped paying dues after Palestine was voted in as a member state.

Since then officials estimate that the US – which accounted for around 22 percent of the total budget – has accrued $600m in unpaid dues, which was one of the reasons for President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw. Israel owes an estimated $10m.

Officials say that many of the reasons the US cited for the withdrawal do not apply any more, noting that since then, all 12 texts on the Middle East passed at UNESCO have been consensual among Israel and Arab member states.

The State Department couldn’t comment because of the US government shutdown.

Earlier, the department told UNESCO officials the US intends to stay engaged at UNESCO as a non-member “observer state” on “non-politicised” issues, including the protection of World Heritage sites, advocating for press freedom and promoting scientific collaboration and education.

The US could potentially seek that status during the UNESCO Executive Board meetings in April.

The US has pulled out of UNESCO before. The Reagan administration did so in 1984 because it viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt, and used to advance Soviet interests. The US re-joined in 2003.

GavelSlam:
Dummies above.

UNESCO helps provide funding for education in many underdeveloped countries yet, you from a 3rd world country would be the first to hail lower contributuons, due to your self-hate.

Hailing Trump, yet the USA is on the brink of a recession.

Make una continue.

GavelSlam:
Dummies above.
UNESCO helps provide funding for education in many underdeveloped countries yet, you from a 3rd world country would be the first to hail lower contributuons, due to your self-hate.
Hailing Trump, yet the USA is on the brink of a recession.
Make una continue.

GavelSlam:
Dummies above.

UNESCO helps provide funding for education in many underdeveloped countries yet, you from a 3rd world country would be the first to hail lower contributuons, due to your self-hate.

Hailing Trump, yet the USA is on the brink of a recession.

Make una continue.

GavelSlam:
Dummies above.
UNESCO helps provide funding for education in many underdeveloped countries yet, you from a 3rd world country would be the first to hail lower contributuons, due to your self-hate.
Hailing Trump, yet the USA is on the brink of a recession.
Make una continue.

BuhariLooter:
When his private jet and cash was needed they called him saint. Now he parted way with the lifeless FC he’s being called all manner of names but that will not deter us from returning Nigeria to the path of prosperity. We’ll get Nigeria ATIKUlated come 2019. #letsgetnigeriaworkingagain #gnwa

GuyWise101:
[s][/s] Take this u go dey alright

ZombieTAMER:


Don't forget to take your rubber kettle along .....

PapalsBull:
They pull out before during the Reagan administration only to come back in 2003. Expect them to be back.

Oh! already applying to be an observant? Charlatans.

GavelSlam:


Like your father.

PapalsBull:
They pull out before during the Reagan administration only to come back in 2003. Expect them to be back.

Oh! already applying to be an observant? Charlatans.

Donald95:
I love Donald Trump.Long live Benjamin Netanyahu. I will always respect you Nnamdi Kanu




If you belong to a group that is not neutral, you simply quit. Does it mean that UN was blind all these while that IPOB and Biafrans are being massacred ? but if it was a Christian state defending there territory from Muslim terrorists, UN will tag it human right violation. ndị ara.

Trump 2024. if you don't like it, drink sniper as Oga Awolowo

ZombieTAMER:


He doesn't slam his head on the floor.. Like your father

ZombieTAMER:


Don't forget to take your rubber kettle along .....

Donald95:
I love Donald Trump.Long live Benjamin Netanyahu. I will always respect you Nnamdi Kanu




If you belong to a group that is not neutral, you simply quit. Does it mean that UN was blind all these while that IPOB and Biafrans are being massacred ? but if it was a Christian state defending there territory from Muslim terrorists, UN will tag it human right violation. ndị ara.

Trump 2024. if you don't like it, drink sniper as Oga Awolowo