Key Takeaways:

• President Trump has announced plans to withdraw the US from the UN Human Rights Council and extend a funding ban on UNRWA.
• The announcements coincide with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit to the White House, emphasizing the US-Israel relationship.
• Trump criticized the UN for inefficiency while maintaining that the organization has potential that is yet unfulfilled.
• UNRWA faces funding suspensions amid allegations against some of its staff linked to the recent Hamas attacks.

In a decisive move, President Trump announced that the United States will withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council and will extend a halt to funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which assists Palestinian refugees. This announcement, made alongside Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in a White House meeting, reflects ongoing tensions regarding UN operations and their perceived bias against Israel.

As reported by VoA, Trump has repeatedly criticized the UN, stating it is “not being well-run” and expressing discontent with how it addresses international conflicts. He noted that the UN, which requires substantial funding and resources from the US, needed to improve its operations significantly, as the US continues to be its largest contributor.

History repeats itself as Trump, echoing actions from his first term, has again halted funding for UNRWA, which previously received $300 million to $400 million annually from the US. This funding freeze follows allegations from Israeli authorities that some UNRWA staff were linked to the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, allegations that UNRWA has denied. In light of these claims, Congress has agreed to suspend contributions until at least March 2025 according to SCMP coverage.

Furthermore, Trump has also ordered a review of US engagement with UNESCO alongside his actions related to the Human Rights Council. The previous administration had a similar stance, withdrawing from both UNESCO and the Human Rights Council due to perceived biases against Israel. Despite being a non-member currently, the US retains observer status and continues to partake informally in council discussions. In those discussions, the US's human rights record will soon be scrutinized, an essential part of the council's periodic review process.

While the UN and its officials defend the necessity of the agencies Trump seeks to target, emphasizing their critical roles in delivering aid and upholding human rights, the President reiterated that “they need to get their act together” in a statement to reporters reported by SCMP.

The implications of these actions will likely reverberate through both international humanitarian aid efforts and diplomatic relations, especially in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

For more detailed updates, visit AP News