In a significant diplomatic move, Israel has decided to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), aligning itself with the United States in stepping away from the organization.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced the decision on Thursday, stating that it was made in response to what he described as the council’s “ongoing and unrelenting institutional bias” against Israel.
Saar conveyed this message in a letter addressed to UNHRC President Jörg Lauber, which he also shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
According to Saar, Israel has faced persistent discrimination from the UNHRC since the council’s establishment in 2006. He pointed out that Israel has been repeatedly singled out in a manner that undermines the credibility and impartiality of the organization.
This decision mirrors the stance taken by the United States, which withdrew from the council in 2018 under the Trump administration, citing similar concerns regarding anti-Israel bias. Washington has long criticized the UNHRC for disproportionately focusing on Israel while, in its view, overlooking human rights violations in other parts of the world.
Israel’s withdrawal from the UNHRC is expected to further strain its already complex relationship with the United Nations. While Israel has frequently clashed with the council over its resolutions and inquiries, this move signals a decisive break from participating in its activities altogether.