Trump aims at ‘anti-American’ UN organizations

2025-02-09 06:04:05

(MENAFN) US President Donald trump has signed an executive order addressing UN agencies that his administration claims show an anti-American bias and promote "anti-Semitism." The executive action targets the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Trump has ordered the US to withdraw from the UNHRC and halt funding for UNRWA, which provides assistance to Palestinian refugees. He also directed the State Department to review US involvement with UNESCO. The executive order accuses these agencies of moving away from the UN’s core peace-promoting mission and instead acting against US interests, criticizing allies, and fueling anti-Semitic narratives.

Israel has long accused the UNHRC and UNESCO of being biased against Israel, especially on issues related to Palestinian rights and cultural heritage. Additionally, Israel claims that UNRWA employees were involved in the October 2023 Hamas attack, which led to an ongoing military response by Israel. The UNRWA has denied these allegations. Trump’s order echoes Israeli claims that the agency has been "infiltrated" by terrorists.

During the signing ceremony, Trump emphasized that while the UN has "tremendous potential," it must be fair to all nations, and he questioned the US's financial contribution to the UN budget. This move follows a similar action in 2018 by the first Trump administration, which was reversed by President Biden in 2021.

In his remarks alongside Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Trump also reiterated his controversial position on Gaza, stating that the US should take control of the region and turn it into the "Riviera of the Middle East," while suggesting Palestinians should be resettled elsewhere—a stance critics label as advocating for ethnic cleansing. The UN has reported widespread destruction and loss of life in Gaza, with over 61,700 deaths and millions displaced due to the ongoing violence.

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