U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from several United Nations bodies, including the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The order, signed on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, also initiates a broader review of U.S. funding for the global organization.
According to the executive order, Washington will no longer participate in UNHRC or the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Additionally, it mandates a review of U.S. involvement in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The move coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington. Netanyahu has been a vocal critic of UNRWA, accusing it of anti-Israel bias and alleging that some of its staff members have been involved in terrorist activities.
During Trump’s first presidency (2017–2021), he previously halted U.S. funding to UNRWA, citing concerns about its effectiveness and its role in Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations.
The administration also withdrew from the 47-member UNHRC in 2018, citing persistent anti-Israel bias and a failure to implement reforms.
Since his second term began on January 20, 2025, Trump has taken steps to distance the U.S. from multilateral agreements and organizations.
He has already ordered the U.S. to exit the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement—moves that mirror actions taken during his first term.
The U.S. was previously the largest financial contributor to UNRWA, providing $300–$400 million annually.
However, the Biden administration paused funding in January 2024 after Israel accused several UNRWA employees of participating in the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, which led to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In response, the U.S. Congress formally suspended financial contributions to UNRWA until at least March 2025.
The agency provides essential aid, including healthcare and education, to millions of Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.