US to leave UN agency again, citing anti-Israel bias
This marks the second instance of the US leaving UNESCO during a Trump administration, following a previous withdrawal and subsequent rejoining under the Biden administration.
The decision to pull out will become effective at the end of December 2026.
The move is a setback for the Paris-based agency, established after the Second World War to foster peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture.
The US had previously withdrawn from UNESCO in 1984 over alleged financial mismanagement and anti-American bias, rejoining in 2003.
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