President Donald Trump has announced the United States’ withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the cessation of funding to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This decision, reinstating policies from his previous administration, was formalized through an executive order signed on February 3, 2025, prior to a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The administration has long criticized the UNHRC for its perceived bias against Israel and for providing cover to governments accused of human rights abuses. In 2018, the Council passed more resolutions condemning Israel than Syria, Iran, and North Korea combined.
The executive order also halts future funding for UNRWA, the U.N. agency providing aid to Gaza. This move follows reports that some UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The Biden administration had previously paused funding to UNRWA pending an investigation into these allegations.
The U.S. had previously withdrawn from the UNHRC in 2018, citing similar concerns, but rejoined under the Biden administration. This latest withdrawal reflects the Trump administration’s ongoing commitment to reassessing U.S. involvement in international organizations perceived as contrary to American interests.
Israel has welcomed the move, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that the UNHRC has long been a platform for anti-Israel sentiment rather than a true defender of human rights.