The United States Department of State announced on Thursday it has informed UNESCO of its decision to pull out of the organization as a result of UNESCO's "continuing anti-Israel bias." The US noted it intends to remain in the organization as a non-member observer state after its withdrawal comes into effect from December 31, 2018.
The State Department added its decision to withdraw was "not taken lightly," but insisted reasons for leaving UNESCO, besides its stance towards Israel, include the fact that the organization needs a "fundamental reform."
The US stopped funding UNESCO and has threatened to pull out of it since 2011 when it accepted Palestine as a full member state.
