Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that Israel would join the U.S. in leaving the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
"I welcome @realdonaldtrump's decision to withdraw from UNESCO," Netanyahu said in a tweet. "I have instructed the Foreign Ministry to prepare Israel's withdrawal from UNESCO in parallel with the United States."
"This is a courageous and ethical decision because UNESCO has become a theater of the absurd and instead of preserving history, distorts it," he said.
I welcome @realDonaldTrump's decision to withdraw from UNESCO.
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) October 12, 2017
This is a courageous and ethical decision because UNESCO has become a theater of the absurd and instead of preserving history, distorts it.
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) October 12, 2017
I have instructed the Foreign Ministry to prepare Israel's withdrawal from UNESCO in parallel with the United States.
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) October 12, 2017
Netanyahu's announcement came after the Trump administration announced the U.S. would be leaving the organization, accusing it of having an anti-Israeli bias.
“This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.
Israel has long been critical of the U.N. organization.
The country withdrew its ambassador from UNESCO after the organization's World Heritage Committee adopted a resolution declaring Temple Mount, which is considered by Jews to be a holy site, a "Muslim holy site of worship."
Muslim's refer to the location as Haram al-Sharif, which means "Noble Sanctuary."
The U.S. withdrew from the organization during the Cold War under former President Reagan, while the Obama administration cut $80 million per year of its funding after it admitted Palestine as a member, according to Foreign Policy.
