The Israel Foreign Ministry has announced that Israel has cut ties with multiple United Nations agencies and international organisations, citing a decision taken after the United States withdrew from dozens of global bodies.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the ministry said that following a review prompted by the US decision, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered the immediate suspension of all engagement with certain UN agencies. The ministry added that it has also been directed to examine Israel’s continued cooperation with other international organisations, in coordination with relevant government departments. Further decisions will be taken after additional review and discussions.
According to the ministry, Israel has already ended cooperation with several organisations that were also named in the US announcement. These include the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict, which Israel accused of unfairly placing the Israel Defense Forces on a blacklist in 2024. Israel said it had severed ties with the office in June last year.
Israel has also withdrawn from UN Women, alleging the agency failed to address cases of sexual violence against Israeli women during the October 7, 2023 attacks. The Foreign Ministry said cooperation with UN Women was terminated in July 2024 and the UN Secretary-General was formally notified.
Additionally, Israel confirmed it has long disengaged from the UN Conference on Trade and Development and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, accusing both bodies of publishing what it described as consistently anti-Israel reports.
Beyond these, the ministry announced new decisions to cut ties with the UN Alliance of Civilizations, alleging the forum has excluded Israel while serving as a platform for criticism against it. Israel will also withdraw from UN Energy, which it described as inefficient, and the Global Forum on Migration and Development, claiming it undermines the ability of states to enforce national immigration policies.
The Foreign Ministry said it will continue to review Israel’s participation in other international organisations and announce further decisions at a later stage.
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