Fact Check: Did the United States withdraw from UNESCO twice over alleged favoritism towards third world countries and a pro-Palestinian agenda?
What We Know
The United States has indeed withdrawn from UNESCO twice, with the first withdrawal occurring in 1984 during the Reagan administration, and the second in 2017 under the Trump administration. The initial withdrawal was attributed to the perception that UNESCO was mismanaged and biased towards Soviet interests (PBS).
The more recent withdrawal in 2017 was officially justified by the U.S. government citing "continuing anti-Israel bias" and the need for "fundamental reform" within the organization (State Department). This decision followed UNESCO's recognition of Palestine as a member state in 2011, which led to the U.S. halting its funding to the organization (NPR).
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. withdrew from UNESCO due to alleged favoritism towards third world countries and a pro-Palestinian agenda has some basis in fact but requires nuanced understanding. The U.S. withdrawal in 2017 was indeed linked to UNESCO's recognition of Palestine, which was a significant factor in the U.S. halting its financial contributions and ultimately deciding to leave the organization (NPR).
Critics argue that this withdrawal allowed other nations, particularly those from the Gulf States, to fill the vacuum left by the U.S., potentially leading to agendas that do not align with American values, such as human rights promotion (NPR).
However, the assertion that the U.S. withdrew specifically due to favoritism towards third world countries is less clearly substantiated. While the U.S. has expressed concerns about perceived biases within UNESCO, the primary cited reasons for withdrawal were related to anti-Israel sentiment and financial management issues (State Department, PBS).
The reliability of sources varies; official government statements provide a clear rationale for the withdrawal, while media reports offer context and analysis that may reflect broader opinions and criticisms of U.S. foreign policy.
Conclusion
The claim that the United States withdrew from UNESCO twice due to alleged favoritism towards third world countries and a pro-Palestinian agenda is Partially True. The U.S. did withdraw twice, with the second withdrawal closely tied to UNESCO's recognition of Palestine and accusations of anti-Israel bias. However, the specific claim of favoritism towards third world countries is not directly supported by the primary reasons given for the withdrawals.
