Washington, D.C. — This morning, the U.S. State Department announced its intention to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the end of 2018 due to UNESCO’s continued anti-Israel bias. The United States would remain a nonmember observer state, being privy to discussions on culture, education, science, and communication.
Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America (CWA), had this to say:
“Today, our State Department made a crucial decision to stand up for our closest and greatest ally in the Middle East by choosing not to align the U.S. with an organization that is blatantly biased against Israel. It is critical that Americans support Israel — the only country in the region that reflects the democratic ideals of our nation.
“UNESCO has demonstrated their anti-Israel bias again and again – proving their dedication to being politically correct is greater than their dedication to advancing human rights globally. The U.S. halted funding to the organization after it admitted the Palestinian Authority as a full member in 2011. And yet, UNESCO still chose not to expel Syria from its human rights committee inspite of their 2012 civil war and repeated resolutions inciting violence against Israel as an occupying power.
“Enough is enough. Although the United States helped found UNESCO in 1945, our nation’s concern about human rights abuses in the Middle East are continuously ignored. UNESCO must know that their resolutions against Israel have consequences. I applaud the President, Secretary Tillerson, U. N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and our State Department for taking a stand.”
For an interview with Penny Nance, contact Annabelle Rutledge at arutledge@cwfa.org or 916-792-3973.