President Donald Trump prepares to take significant action regarding U.S. involvement in international organizations ahead of his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Politico, Trump is set to issue an executive order on Tuesday that will remove the United States from the U.N. Human Rights Council and halt future funding to the U.N. relief agency operating in Gaza.
The executive order marks a return to policies implemented during Trump's previous administration, reflecting long-standing U.S. concerns about the council's perceived bias against Israel and its handling of human rights violations globally.
This development follows the Biden administration's recent decision to suspend funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) after allegations emerged about staff involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
The White House has prepared a detailed fact sheet outlining its position on the U.N. Human Rights Council's performance. According to the document obtained by Politico, the White House states:
The UNHRC has demonstrated consistent bias against Israel, focusing on it unfairly and disproportionately in council proceedings. In 2018, the year President Trump withdrew from the UNHRC in his first administration, the organization passed more resolutions condemning Israel than Syria, Iran, and North Korea combined.
The executive action extends beyond the Human Rights Council, requiring Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evaluate and report on international organizations that potentially promote anti-American sentiments. This review will particularly scrutinize UNESCO, from which the U.S. withdrew in 2019, citing similar concerns about bias against Israel.
The decision to prohibit future funding for UNRWA comes at a critical time for Gaza's humanitarian situation. The agency serves as the primary source of aid for Gaza's population, which faces severe challenges due to Israel's military response following the October 7 attack.
UNRWA's credibility suffered a significant blow when an internal investigation revealed potential staff involvement in the Hamas attack, leading to several terminations.
The timing of this executive order coincides with Rep. Elise Stefanik's pending confirmation as U.N. ambassador. During her confirmation hearing, Stefanik emphasized the need for reform within the U.N. system and expressed concerns about UNRWA's oversight of its local workers' connections to Hamas.
This development also raises questions about the future of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as the administration evaluates its alignment with Trump's "America First" policy and scrutinizes its spending practices.
The upcoming executive order represents the latest chapter in America's complex relationship with international organizations under different administrations. While Democratic presidents Obama and Biden sought engagement with the U.N. Human Rights Council, Republican administrations under Bush and Trump have maintained distance from the organization.
The planned withdrawal from the U.N. Human Rights Council and the suspension of UNRWA funding indicate a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy. Trump's executive order, scheduled for signing on Tuesday, will formalize these changes during his meeting with Netanyahu in Washington. The decision reflects ongoing concerns about anti-Israel bias in international organizations and raises questions about future U.S. involvement in global humanitarian efforts.
The U.N. spokesperson has declined to comment on these developments, while human rights organizations and some lawmakers continue to defend the importance of these international bodies despite acknowledging their imperfections.
