February 10, 2025
Donald Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. The order also ends U.S. participation in the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

While signing the order on Tuesday, Trump called for a review of American involvement in UNESCO, stating that the UN must be fair to nations that deserve it.

“I always felt the UN has tremendous potential, but it’s not living up to it,” Trump said.

The United States was UNRWA’s largest donor, contributing nearly $500 million annually. However, in January 2024, former President Joe Biden suspended funding after Israel accused a dozen UNRWA staff of involvement in the Hamas attack that sparked the Gaza war. In response, the U.S. Congress formally halted contributions until at least March 2025.

Trump’s decision to withdraw from UNRWA coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington.

Speaking on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Trump suggested that Palestinians should relocate to neighboring Jordan and Egypt. However, he clarified that he does not necessarily support Israeli settlement in Gaza.

“I just support cleaning it up and doing something with it,” Trump said regarding the war-torn region.

This is not the first time Trump has cut financial support for UNRWA. During his first term, he halted funding, arguing that Palestinians should return to peace talks with Israel and calling for reforms within the agency.

 

Since taking office on January 20, Trump has also signed orders withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement.

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