US leaves UNESCO over Palestine and Israel

The US has decided to withdraw from UNESCO, reports AFP, as relayed by Patria agency.

UNESCO officials expressed regret over this decision.

According to a statement from the State Department, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, was informed of the US decision, reports B92.

- The decision was not made lightly and expresses the US's concerns about the state of this organization, the need for reform, and the organization's constant anti-Israeli stance - the statement reads.

According to AP, the decision was made due to tensions surrounding Palestine, specifically because of a resolution adopted by UNESCO, which Washington views as anti-Israeli. 

America will withdraw from the world organization for the protection of historical and cultural heritage on December 31, and will leave its mission in the capacity of a permanent observer.

As stated by this United Nations body, the US decision was "received with regret". 

- We see this move as a loss for multiculturalism and the entire United Nations family - said Irina Bokova. 

The US stopped funding the body, of which it was a founder, in 2011, after Palestine was admitted to the organization.