U.S. to Leave UNESCO Next Year

The official withdrawal of the North American nation will be effective December 31 of 2018, the State Department indicated

The United States has made the decision to leave the United Nations Organization for Education, Science, and Culture (UNESCO), as a result of the institution’s anti-Israel bias, according to the State Department.

The country’s official withdrawal will be effective December 31 of 2018, the State Department indicated.

State Department officials stated that the country’s departure was also motivated by the failure of member countries to contribute financially, and the need to reform the organization, while noting that Washington has for some time disputed the acceptance of Palestine as a member state.

In 2011, the U.S. cancelled its contribution to the UNESCO budget, to protest the decision to grant Palestine full membership.

After December 31, next year, the U.S. will maintain observer status.