Following the United States’ decision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Israel announced on Wednesday that it would also suspend its participation. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed support for US President Donald Trump’s move, describing it as a positive step.
In a statement posted on X, Sa’ar said, “Israel welcomes President Trump’s decision not to participate in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Israel joins the United States and will not participate in the UNHRC.” He criticized the council for allegedly shielding human rights abusers while disproportionately targeting Israel, a democratic country in the Middle East.
Sa’ar went further to highlight that Israel is the only nation with an agenda item exclusively focused on it. Israel has been subjected to over 100 condemnatory resolutions, accounting for more than 20% of all resolutions passed by the UNHRC—more than the combined total against Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and Venezuela. “Israel will not accept this discrimination any longer,” he added.
The announcement from Israel came during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United States, where discussions were focused on regional issues, including the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Trump had previously announced America’s withdrawal from the UNHRC during a joint press conference with Netanyahu in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, calling the council “anti-Semitic.” He also declared the US would cut its support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which had faced accusations of ties with Hamas. Trump’s remarks also included the restoration of US sanctions on Iran.
Netanyahu’s visit to the US included meetings with military leaders and members of Congress. In the joint press conference, Trump reaffirmed the strength of US-Israel relations, stating, “The bonds of friendship and affection between the American and Israeli people have endured for generations, and they are absolutely unbreakable.”
