US and Israel withdrawal from UNESCO
On 12 October 2017 the US decided to withdraw from UNESCO. Israel followed shortly afterwards.
The US stated that “This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO.”
The US had already halted its financial contributions to UNESCO in 2011 under Barack Obama following formal recognition of the Palestinian Authority as a full member of UNESCO. Its arrears at the date of the withdrawal stood at US$542,671,681 and concerns over this sum were cited by the US Department of State as a push factor for withdrawal.