U.S. President Donald Trump is set to take action against two key United Nations (U.N.) bodies: the U.N. Human Rights Council and the U.N. Palestinian relief agency, UNRWA. A White House official confirmed that, starting Tuesday, Trump will end the U.S.’s involvement with the Human Rights Council and will continue halting funding to UNRWA. This move comes during a visit to Washington by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a leader who has frequently criticized UNRWA for its stance on Israel.
The U.N. Human Rights Council’s Role
The U.N. Human Rights Council, made up of 47 countries, is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around the world. It works through investigations and discussions on various human rights issues. However, the U.S. has been critical of the Council, accusing it of being biased against Israel. In 2018, Trump’s administration withdrew the U.S. from the council halfway through its term, saying it was unfair and had a “chronic bias” against Israel. Critics also pointed to the council’s failure to address human rights issues in some countries that the U.S. believes should be highlighted.
The U.S. is no longer a member of the Human Rights Council after it left under Trump. When President Joe Biden took office, the U.S. was re-elected to the body for a 2022-2024 term. This latest decision by Trump to end involvement marks a continuation of his approach during his first term in office, where he questioned the council’s effectiveness and its criticisms of Israel.
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The Controversy Over UNRWA
UNRWA is an agency of the United Nations that provides essential services such as education, health care, and relief to Palestinian refugees. For years, it has been one of the largest aid organizations supporting Palestinian communities, operating in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The U.S. has historically been one of the biggest donors to UNRWA, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
However, the agency has come under intense scrutiny, particularly from Israel, which accuses UNRWA of promoting anti-Israel sentiments. Israeli leaders claim that some staff members have ties to Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, and that the agency is not truly independent but operates as a tool for political agendas. Netanyahu has long argued that UNRWA has allowed anti-Israel propaganda to thrive within its walls, even going as far as accusing staff members of being involved in terrorist activities.
During Trump’s first term, he decided to cut U.S. funding to UNRWA, questioning whether the agency was truly effective in aiding the Palestinian people or if it was perpetuating a conflict. He also said that Palestinians should resume peace talks with Israel before the U.S. would consider funding the agency again. In January 2024, President Biden paused U.S. funding to UNRWA after allegations surfaced that some of its staff were involved in attacks by Hamas against Israel, including the deadly attack on Israel in October 2023.
The U.S. Congress took further action by suspending contributions to UNRWA until at least March 2025. This came after Israel’s accusations that certain members of UNRWA had links to Hamas. UNRWA, in response, denied the claims, with its leaders calling the accusations part of a disinformation campaign meant to discredit the agency.
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The Impact of Trump’s Decision
Trump’s decision to end the U.S.’s involvement with the U.N. Human Rights Council and continue withholding funding from UNRWA is expected to have significant effects. While the U.S. has made clear its discontent with these U.N. bodies, both actions are likely to strain relations with some international allies and organizations. On the other hand, Israel strongly supports Trump’s stance, viewing it as a victory against what it sees as unfair treatment by international organizations.
For UNRWA, this move will deepen its financial struggles. The U.S. was its largest donor, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars annually. While other nations provide aid, losing such a large contributor will impact the services the agency can offer to Palestinian refugees. As the agency faces challenges, including accusations and investigations into its staff, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank will likely worsen as humanitarian needs continue to rise.
The U.N. has promised to investigate the allegations against UNRWA and continues to ask Israel for evidence. As the situation unfolds, it remains uncertain how the international community will respond to Trump’s actions and whether they will have lasting effects on both U.N. organizations and their ability to provide support to people in need.
