Israel follows US in withdrawing from UNHRC, citing bias and antisemitism
Team Finance Saathi
06/Feb/2025

What's covered under the Article:
- Israel announces its withdrawal from the UNHRC after the US exit, citing anti-Israel bias.
- Trump accuses UNHRC and UNRWA of bias and cuts ties over alleged connections with Hamas.
- Netanyahu visits the US to discuss the Gaza ceasefire and Middle East security with Trump.
In a move that mirrored the United States' recent decision, Israel has officially announced its withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar confirmed the country's stance on Wednesday, expressing support for the US decision to leave the controversial council.
Israel's Support for US Withdrawal
Israel has long been critical of the UNHRC, claiming that the council is biased against the country. Gideon Sa'ar praised US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw, emphasizing that Israel shares the same concerns. Sa'ar took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his government’s position:
“Israel welcomes President Trump’s decision not to participate in the UN Human Rights Council. Israel joins the United States and will not participate in the UNHRC,” Sa'ar wrote.
Israel Alleges Bias at the UNHRC
One of the central grievances Israel has with the UNHRC is what it sees as an unfair focus on the country, with over 100 resolutions passed against it, which make up more than 20% of all resolutions by the council. Sa'ar accused the UNHRC of harboring a bias that disproportionately condemns Israel while neglecting human rights abuses in other parts of the world.
According to Sa'ar, the council has become a platform that promotes antisemitism instead of upholding its original mission to protect human rights globally. He argued that the UNHRC is not focused on improving human rights but rather on politically motivated attacks against democratic nations like Israel.
Trump’s US Withdrawal and Allegations Against UNRWA
President Trump had previously announced the United States' decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council in 2018. He cited concerns about the anti-Semitic nature of the body and accused the council of being biased against Israel. Alongside this, Trump also ordered the US to cease its support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), accusing the agency of having ties to Hamas, the militant group in Gaza.
“The United States withdrew from the anti-Semitic UN Human Rights Council and ended support for the UN Relief and Works Agency, which funneled money to Hamas,” Trump remarked in a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu’s Visit to the US
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also in the United States at the time, where he met with Trump to discuss critical issues such as Middle East security and the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Netanyahu, too, reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between the US and Israel.
“The bonds of friendship between the American and Israeli people have endured for generations, and they are absolutely unbreakable,” Netanyahu declared during the press conference.
Impact on US-Israel Relations
The withdrawal of both Israel and the United States from the UNHRC signifies a new chapter in their diplomatic stance. Experts suggest that this move may further solidify US-Israel relations while weakening the credibility of the UN Human Rights Council.
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