Trump administration shakes up international institutions with surprise decisions–What happens next?
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In a move that has sent ripples across the international community, former President Donald Trump has taken a stance that diverges sharply from traditional US foreign policy.
These decisions mark major changes that not only underscore the fluctuating nature of involvement in global affairs but also raises questions about the potential impact on American citizens and the broader international landscape.
On a day marked by his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump announced the United States' withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and a halt to funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The US departed from the UNHRC last year, and stopped giving funds to the UNRWA following Israel accusing the agency of keeping Hamas militants who took part in the surprise October 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel. These claims were denied by the UNRWA.
Before delving into the implications of Trump's announcement, let's unpack what these organizations do. The UNHRC is tasked with promoting and protecting human rights around the globe.
It investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in UN member states and addresses important thematic human rights issues, such as freedom of association and the right to education.
UNRWA, on the other hand, was established in 1949 to support the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees. It provides education, health care, and social services to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring countries.
Trump's decision to withdraw from the UNHRC and halt funding to UNRWA is not without precedent in his administration.
In 2018, he made a similar move, citing the council's alleged bias against Israel and accusing UNRWA of perpetuating the Palestinian refugee crisis. The Biden administration later reversed these decisions, re-engaging with the UNHRC and restoring funding to UNRWA.
However, the Biden administration announced last September 2024 that the US would not pursue a second consecutive term in the UNHRC, following their renewal
Also read: Is the Education Department changing? What Trump’s possible executive move could mean | Major changes for healthcare enrollment under Trump. Are you among the 24 million people affected?
Trump's latest executive orders have reignited the debate over the US's role in these organizations.
His executive orders have also requested a review of American involvement in the Paris-based UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and a review of the funding for the UN due to the “wild disparities in levels of funding among different countries.”
The US, as the world's largest economy, contributes 22% to the UN's regular operating budget. “I’ve always felt that the UN has tremendous potential,” Trump said to reporters in the White House. “It’s not living up to that potential right now. ... They’ve got to get their act together.”
He added that the UN needs “to be fair to countries that deserve fairness,” as there are countries, that he kept unnamed, that are “outliers, that are very bad and they’re being almost preferred.”
Source: Fox News / Youtube.
Prior to his announcement, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric reiterated the UNHRC’s importance and the UNRWA’s efforts in providing “critical service to Palestinians.”
Before the Hamas attacks on October 7, UNRWA opened schools for Gaza’s 650,000 children and maintained health facilities while delivering humanitarian aid through food and healthcare.
Israel has also alleged the UNRWA has anti-Israel bias in their educational materials, which the body firmly denies. The country accused 19 of the 13,000 UNRWA staff in Gaza of participating in Hamas attacks.
They were terminated pending the UN’s investigation, which reported that nine may have been involved in the attacks. Following this, 18 governments stopped funding the agency but have all restored their support aside from the US.
Legislation is underway to ratify the US decision that stops any American funding to the UNRWA until March 2025, and Trump’s decision on Tuesday leads to non-restoration.
Also read: A review: Executive Orders issued by Donald Trump in his first week | Trump's bold move could revolutionize American wealth – and he wants to buy a popular social media platform with it!
What are your thoughts on the US withdrawing from the UNHRC and halting funding for UNRWA? Share your insights in the comments below, but please remember to remain respectful.
These decisions mark major changes that not only underscore the fluctuating nature of involvement in global affairs but also raises questions about the potential impact on American citizens and the broader international landscape.
On a day marked by his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump announced the United States' withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and a halt to funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The US departed from the UNHRC last year, and stopped giving funds to the UNRWA following Israel accusing the agency of keeping Hamas militants who took part in the surprise October 7, 2023 attacks in southern Israel. These claims were denied by the UNRWA.
Before delving into the implications of Trump's announcement, let's unpack what these organizations do. The UNHRC is tasked with promoting and protecting human rights around the globe.
It investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in UN member states and addresses important thematic human rights issues, such as freedom of association and the right to education.
President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council and cease funding for the UN agency helping Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA. Image source: Al Jazeera English / Youtube.
UNRWA, on the other hand, was established in 1949 to support the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees. It provides education, health care, and social services to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring countries.
Trump's decision to withdraw from the UNHRC and halt funding to UNRWA is not without precedent in his administration.
In 2018, he made a similar move, citing the council's alleged bias against Israel and accusing UNRWA of perpetuating the Palestinian refugee crisis. The Biden administration later reversed these decisions, re-engaging with the UNHRC and restoring funding to UNRWA.
However, the Biden administration announced last September 2024 that the US would not pursue a second consecutive term in the UNHRC, following their renewal
Also read: Is the Education Department changing? What Trump’s possible executive move could mean | Major changes for healthcare enrollment under Trump. Are you among the 24 million people affected?
Trump's latest executive orders have reignited the debate over the US's role in these organizations.
His executive orders have also requested a review of American involvement in the Paris-based UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and a review of the funding for the UN due to the “wild disparities in levels of funding among different countries.”
The US, as the world's largest economy, contributes 22% to the UN's regular operating budget. “I’ve always felt that the UN has tremendous potential,” Trump said to reporters in the White House. “It’s not living up to that potential right now. ... They’ve got to get their act together.”
He added that the UN needs “to be fair to countries that deserve fairness,” as there are countries, that he kept unnamed, that are “outliers, that are very bad and they’re being almost preferred.”
Source: Fox News / Youtube.
Prior to his announcement, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric reiterated the UNHRC’s importance and the UNRWA’s efforts in providing “critical service to Palestinians.”
Before the Hamas attacks on October 7, UNRWA opened schools for Gaza’s 650,000 children and maintained health facilities while delivering humanitarian aid through food and healthcare.
Israel has also alleged the UNRWA has anti-Israel bias in their educational materials, which the body firmly denies. The country accused 19 of the 13,000 UNRWA staff in Gaza of participating in Hamas attacks.
They were terminated pending the UN’s investigation, which reported that nine may have been involved in the attacks. Following this, 18 governments stopped funding the agency but have all restored their support aside from the US.
Legislation is underway to ratify the US decision that stops any American funding to the UNRWA until March 2025, and Trump’s decision on Tuesday leads to non-restoration.
Also read: A review: Executive Orders issued by Donald Trump in his first week | Trump's bold move could revolutionize American wealth – and he wants to buy a popular social media platform with it!
What are your thoughts on the US withdrawing from the UNHRC and halting funding for UNRWA? Share your insights in the comments below, but please remember to remain respectful.
