The United States has announced its intention to withdraw from the leading United Nations human rights organization and discontinue financial support for the agency that assists Palestinian refugees. The U.S. had previously exited the Geneva-based Human Rights Council in the previous year, and funding was halted for UNRWA, the organization dedicated to Palestinian refugees, after Israel accused it of harboring militants linked to the recent attacks in southern Israel, which UNRWA has denied.
This declaration from President Donald Trump coincided with a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose nation has consistently claimed bias against it from both the Human Rights Council and UNRWA, labeling their actions as antisemitic. Alongside this announcement, Trump issued executive orders calling for an evaluation of the United States’ engagement with UNESCO—the U.N. agency focusing on education and culture—and a reassessment of U.S. contributions to the United Nations in light of significant disparities in funding levels across various nations.
The U.S. holds the distinction of being the largest contributor, accounting for 22% of the U.N.’s standard operating budget, while China is recognized as the second largest donor. Trump articulated his belief in the U.N.’s potential for positive impact but criticized it for not fulfilling that promise, indicating a need for improvement and fairness in its treatment of different nations. He specifically referenced unnamed countries that he claimed received undue preference despite their poor records.
Prior to Trump’s remarks, a spokesperson for the U.N. emphasized the critical role of the Human Rights Council and the essential services provided by UNRWA to Palestinians. Trump initially withdrew the U.S. from the Human Rights Council in mid-2018, with then-U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley criticizing the organization for its systemic bias against Israel, calling attention to human rights violators among its member states.
In contrast, President Joe Biden recommitted support to the Human Rights Council, and during October 2021, the U.S. secured a seat on the 47-nation council. However, just before September concluded, it was revealed that the Biden administration would not pursue a consecutive term. Trump’s recent order has minimal immediate consequences since the U.S. is not currently holding council membership; nevertheless, the U.S. retains informal observer status and is permitted to occupy a place in the council’s grand chamber in Geneva.
UNRWA was formed in 1949 by the U.N. General Assembly to support Palestinians displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and their descendants. Currently, it provides essential services, including education and health care, to approximately 2.5 million Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and millions more in neighboring countries such as Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. Before the crisis that began on October 7, UNRWA was operating schools and health clinics in Gaza and facilitating humanitarian aid, continuing its crucial role in delivering health care and food assistance during the ongoing conflict.
During the first Trump administration, funding for UNRWA was suspended in 2018, but it was later restored by Biden. Traditionally, the United States has been UNRWA’s largest benefactor, contributing $343 million in 2022 and $422 million in 2023. Israel has long accused UNRWA of bias in its educational content, a claim that the agency refutes.
Following the recent attacks, Israel alleged that some employees of UNRWA in Gaza had participated, leading to the dismissal of 19 individuals while a U.N. investigation was conducted. The investigation revealed that nine may have been involved. As a result of these accusations, 18 governments had previously paused their funding to UNRWA; however, they have since reinstated their support, with the exception of the United States. The legislation enacted by the U.S. mandated that no funding would be given to UNRWA until March 2025. Trump’s recent action solidifies the continued absence of U.S. financial support.
