US pulls out of UNESCO over 'continuing anti-Israel bias'

The United States on Thursday pulled out of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) over the agency's alleged “anti-Israel bias”, reported Associated Press.

The Trump administration had criticised the recent resolutions by the UNESCO and claimed the United Nations' cultural agency was continuing it's “anti-Israel bias”.

"This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects US concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organisation, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO," the State Department said in a statement.

In 2011, the United States had stopped funding UNESCO after the UN cultural agency voted to include Palestinian Authority as a member.

The US withdraws from #UNESCO, reports AFP news agency pic.twitter.com/LatSCTWBYl

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Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO is a specialised cultural agency of the United Nations (UN). It was established to contribute to the peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms.