Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House, 23 January 2025. Photo: Yuri Gripas – Pool via CNP / MEGA / The Mega Agency
On Tuesday, 4 February, US President Donald Trump plans to announce the US withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council and the suspension of funding for UNRWA, the UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees. Reuters reported this with reference to a White House official.
The decision coincides with a visit to Washington by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long been critical of UNRWA, accusing the agency of incitement against Israel and alleged links between its staff and terrorist groups.
The United States withdraws from the UN Human Rights Council for the second time
This is not Trump’s first such move. During his first presidential term (2017-2021), he already withdrew the United States from the UN Human Rights Council, citing “chronic bias against Israel”.
Joe Biden’s administration returned the United States to the Council for the period 2022-2024, but after his re-election, Trump decided to resume a tough policy towards international organisations.
UN Human Rights Council spokesman Pascal Sim said he had no information about any official decision by Washington. He stressed that although the United States is not currently a permanent member of the Council, its participation in the discussions is of great political importance.
Financial crisis at UNRWA
At the same time, a UNRWA spokesperson refused to comment on Trump’s upcoming decision, only stressing that the agency’s financial situation is “very critical”.
Trump had already cut off funding for UNRWA during his first term, questioning its effectiveness and demanding that the Palestinians return to negotiations with Israel.
Trump’s policy towards international organisations
Since his inauguration for a second term on 20 January, Trump has already announced the US withdrawal from the WHO and the Paris Climate Accord – steps he took in 2017-2021.
It is expected that the US withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council and the cessation of funding for UNRWA will cause a serious international outcry and aggravate Washington’s relations with a number of Middle Eastern countries.
