US may stop cooperating with UN Human Rights Council

(CLO) US President Donald Trump is expected to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council and continue to suspend funding for the Palestine Relief Agency (UNRWA), according to a White House official.

The decision coincides with a visit to Washington by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long criticized UNRWA, accusing it of anti-Israel incitement and involvement in terrorist activities. The United Nations and UNRWA have yet to make an official comment on the matter.

US President Donald Trump. Photo: White House

During Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021, he cut funding to UNRWA on the grounds that the organization did not bring real value and demanded that Palestine agree to resume peace negotiations with Israel.

The Trump administration also withdrew the US from the 47-member Human Rights Council, citing anti-Israel bias and a lack of reform. However, under President Joe Biden, the US has rejoined and will serve for the 2022-2024 term.

Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon welcomed Mr Trump's decision, accusing the Human Rights Council of promoting "radical anti-Semitism" and asserting that UNRWA had become a Hamas-controlled organisation operating under the guise of humanitarianism.

UNRWA Director-General Philippe Lazzarini denied the allegations, saying his organization was being targeted by a "disinformation campaign".

The United States is UNRWA's largest donor, providing $300 million to $400 million a year. However, Mr. Biden suspended funding in January 2024 after Israel accused some UNRWA staff of participating in the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that led to the Gaza war.

The US Congress later formally blocked funding for UNRWA until at least March 2025. UNRWA currently provides aid, health services and education to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

The United Nations has confirmed that nine UNRWA staff may have been involved in the October 7 attack and have been fired. A Hamas commander in Lebanon killed by Israel in September also worked for UNRWA.

Since taking office for his second term on January 20, Mr. Trump has taken similar steps to his previous term, including withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, AJ)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-co-the-ngung-hop-tac-voi-hoi-dong-nhan-quyen-lien-hop-quoc-post332963.html