Breaking: Trump ceases funding to UNRWA

President Trump plans to issue an executive order today withdrawing the United States from the UN Human Rights Council and cutting funding to UNRWA, the UN's Palestinian refugee agency. The announcement comes ahead of his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington tomorrow.

The White House claims the Human Rights Council shows persistent bias against Israel, citing that in 2018, the council passed more resolutions condemning Israel than Syria, Iran, and North Korea combined.

The decision to defund UNRWA follows the Biden administration's recent funding pause after allegations that some agency staffers participated in Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. UNRWA currently serves as Gaza's primary aid provider during the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The executive order also directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review international organizations for "radical or anti-American sentiment," with particular focus on UNESCO, which the U.S. left in 2019.

These actions restore Trump-era policies and align with his "America First" approach. However, human rights organizations argue the council plays a vital role in addressing global human rights violations, despite its flaws.

The announcement coincides with Rep. Elise Stefanik's pending confirmation as UN ambassador. During her recent confirmation hearing, Stefanik emphasized reforming UN systems and ensuring U.S. funding supports programs promoting transparency and rule of law.