Israel has announced it will immediately stop participating in seven United Nations agencies and related international organisations, accusing them of bias against the country and inefficient operations. The move follows a review sparked by the United States’ recent exit from several international bodies.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Tuesday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would “immediately sever all contact” with the UN Alliance of Civilisations, UN Energy, and the Global Forum on Migration and Development.
He added that the ministry would examine cooperation with other UN-related organisations, with further decisions expected after consultations with relevant government departments.
The ministry highlighted that Israel had previously cut ties with four UN agencies mentioned in the US withdrawal statement.
These included the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict, UN Women, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
On the Office of the Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict, the ministry said, “Israel is the only democratic country to be listed, alongside ISIS and Boko Haram,” referring to the 2024 report that included the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Israel had severed ties with this office in June 2024.
Regarding UN Women, the ministry accused the organisation of ignoring cases of sexual violence against Israeli women on October 7, 2023. After Israel requested the removal of the local head, it ended the cooperation agreement and informed the UN Secretary-General in July 2024 that all engagement would stop.
Israel also cited repeated “virulent anti-Israel reports” from UNCTAD and ESCWA as reasons for its disengagement. The UN Alliance of Civilisations was described as “a platform for attacks against Israel,” while UN Energy was labelled “a wasteful organisation” reflecting the UN’s “excessive and inefficient bureaucracy.”
The Global Forum on Migration and Development was criticised for undermining “the ability of sovereign nations to enforce their own immigration laws.”
Israel’s relations with the UN have long been strained, particularly over its policies in Palestinian territories. Tensions escalated after Israel’s military operation in Gaza in October 2023, amid accusations at international forums of genocide and causing starvation—claims Israel denies.
Last year, Israel formally ended ties with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, a move that UN officials warned could impact Palestinians who rely on the agency for food, healthcare, and education.
The latest withdrawal coincides with Israel’s Security Cabinet discussions on the second phase of the Gaza peace agreement on January 13, suggesting a potential shift in Israel’s engagement with international organisations.
