Tensions between Israel and UNESCO have been building for years. In 2011, the United Nations agency voted to accept the Palestinian Authority as a full member state over Israeli objections.
Few months back UNESCO passed a resolution that classified Israel as an occupying power. Israel accused Germany of not blocking the resolution and summoned the Swedish ambassador over Sweden’s support for the resolution.
Israel also condemned UNESCO’s decision to designate Hebron’s Old City and the Tomb of the Patriarchs both located in the West Bank as Palestinian heritage sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
UNESCO is accused of being biased against Israel and citing its decision to admit the Palestinian territories as a member state.
Impact
The decision affected the organization severely with fund crunch. The organization may face financial crisis because the U.S. had accounted for more than 20 percent of UNESCO’s annual budget.
The impact of future cultural interventions by the US in other countries may also be weakened.
The US left UNESCO once before in 1984, during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, due to accusations of excessive politicization. Until it rejoined in 2003, it continued to participate through observer status and is likely to pursue a similar strategy now.
Other members have also left and rejoined: the UK, South Africa and Singapore.
