Trump withdraws US from UN Human Rights Council amid criticism

On February 4, 2025, President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order to withdraw the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and extend the funding ban for UNRWA, the U.N. relief agency for Gaza. This decision is a continuation of the policies he reinstated from his first term and is reportedly rooted in claims of anti-Israel bias within the UNHRC and UNRWA. Critics argue that both organizations have failed to fulfill their intended purposes and have instead acted as protective bodies for nations engaged in human rights abuses. The decisions follow heightened scrutiny over UNRWA, particularly after allegations arose that some of its staffers were involved in terrorist activities concerning the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. This has led to significant budget cuts to UNRWA by the Biden administration last year, which suspended funding after the revelations came to light. Such actions underscore ongoing concerns about the organization's effectiveness and integrity in providing humanitarian aid without direct threats to Israeli security. While the U.S. has had a historically contentious relationship with the UNHRC, Trump's administration has particularly focused on what it deems lifelong biases against Israel. The impact of Trump's executive order is likely to have profound repercussions for U.S. foreign policy as it aligns with his broader strategy of distancing the nation from international programs and organizations perceived as unfavorable. The anticipated withdrawal will also renew discussions about the viability of the UNHRC and its handling of global human rights, particularly its treatment of Israel vis-a-vis other nations with known human rights violations. With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the White House on the same day, discussions are anticipated to center around close cooperation against threats from Hamas and Iran. Netanyahu has been a vocal critic of the UN and UNRWA, accusing them of complicity in anti-Israel activities. The heightened expectations for Trump's policies towards Israel and the Palestinian territories reflect enduring tensions in the Middle East and the complexity of international humanitarian efforts in such conflict zones.