Israel’s foreign ministry announced on January 9, 2024, that it is severing ties with three international organisations, including two United Nations agencies. This decision follows the recent withdrawal of the United States from a total of 66 global bodies, as ordered by President Donald Trump. The White House stated that these organisations “no longer serve American interests.”
The three bodies Israel is cutting ties with include UN Energy, the UN Alliance of Civilisations, and the Global Forum on Migration and Development, which operates outside the United Nations system. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has also directed a review of the country’s ongoing cooperation with several other unnamed organisations.
In its announcement on the social media platform X, the foreign ministry specified that the cessation of contact with these agencies is immediate. The ministry accused the UN Alliance of Civilisations of failing to invite Israel to participate and claimed it has been used as a platform for attacks against the country. It described UN Energy as “wasteful” and criticized the Global Forum on Migration and Development for undermining national sovereignty regarding immigration laws.
The United States’ withdrawal from these organisations includes 31 UN entities and 35 others, mirroring Israel’s recent actions. The extent of Israel’s previous engagement with the three organisations is not entirely clear.
Israel has a longstanding history of tension with UN agencies, often alleging bias, particularly following the HamasGaza. The country has repeatedly accused the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) of providing cover for Hamas militants, asserting that some of its employees participated in the assault. Investigations have uncovered “neutrality-related issues” within UNRWA, although the agency maintains that Israel has not provided conclusive evidence to support its claims.
In response to the rising tensions, two laws were passed in 2024 prohibiting UNRWA from operating in Israeli territory and limiting its contact with Israeli authorities. Last week, UNRWA announced it would lay off 571 employees outside the Gaza Strip, citing “financial difficulties.”
As the geopolitical landscape evolves, Israel’s decisions reflect its ongoing strategy to distance itself from international organisations perceived as hostile or ineffective. The implications of these changes will likely resonate throughout diplomatic circles in the coming months.
