Topline
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday pulling the U.S. from the United Nations Human Rights Council and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, withdrawing from the latter entity, which provides aid to Palestinian refugees, shortly before meeting with Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu.
Key Facts
In addition to withdrawing the U.S. from the council and agency, the executive order also calls for a review of U.S. funding to the United Nations and U.S. involvement in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which Trump exited in his first term.
Trump said shortly before signing the order he “always felt that the U.N. has tremendous potential” and that the intergovernmental body is not currently living up to it and has not “for a long time.”
Trump also said he wants Jordan and Egypt to take in Palestinians, saying “they have no alternative” but to leave Gaza and citing the widespread destruction the region has sustained from Israeli forces.
Trump greeted Netanyahu at the White House after signing the order and will participate in a joint press conference with the Israeli president, who has said the UNHRC has a “blatant anti-Israel obsession.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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