On Tuesday, President Trump issued an Executive Order (full text) withdrawing the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council and ordering a review of the United States membership in UNESCO. The United States currently holds a seat on the Human Rights Council. The Executive Order provides in part:
The United States helped found the United Nations (UN) after World War II to prevent future global conflicts and promote international peace and security. But some of the UN’s agencies and bodies have drifted from this mission and instead act contrary to the interests of the United States while attacking our allies and propagating anti-Semitism.....
Three UN organizations that deserve renewed scrutiny are the UNHRC; the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)....
The United States will not participate in the UNHRC and will not seek election to that body. The Secretary shall terminate the office of United States Representative to the UNHRC and any positions primarily dedicated to supporting the United States Representative to the UNHRC.
... The United States will also conduct a review of its membership in UNESCO.... In particular, the review will include an analysis of any anti-Semitism or anti-Israel sentiment within the organization.
