and that the agency promotes anti-Israel speech. This decision comes only two years after the United States rejoined UNESCO after leaving in 2018, during US President Donald Trump's first administration. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the withdrawal was linked to UNESCO's perceived agenda to "advance divisive social and cultural causes." She added in a statement that UNESCO's decision "to admit the 'State of Palestine' as a Member State is highly problematic, contrary to US policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organisation."

The decision, first reported by the New York Post, will take effect at the end of December 2026. This will be the third time that the United States has left UNESCO, which is based in Paris, and the second time during a Trump administration. It last rejoined the agency in 2023, under the Biden administration. UNESCO's Director General Audrey Azoulay said she "deeply" regrets the US decision but insisted that it was expected, and that the agency "has prepared for it." She also denied accusations of anti-Israel bias. (Jamaica Gleaner)