The Elders express dismay at United States and Israel withdrawal from UNESCO
<h3 class="post-title subpt">The Elders express dismay over the announcements by the United States and Israel that they intend to withdraw from membership of UNESCO.</h3><div class="quoteblock"><div class="quotetext"></div></div><p>The Elders today expressed dismay over the announcements by the United States and Israel that they intend to withdraw from membership of UNESCO, the UN’s education, social and cultural organisation.</p>
<p><a href="http://theelders.org/kofi-annan"><strong>Kofi Annan</strong></a>, Chair of The Elders and former UN Secretary-General, said:</p>
<p><em>“While I very much regret the decisions of the US and Israel to pull out of UNESCO over alleged anti-Israel bias, I hope this will not be the final word. I encourage the governments concerned to choose engagement ahead of disengagement and reconsider their positions over the next year.”</em></p>
<p>The Elders are particularly concerned that the departure from the family of international organisations of two member states could undermine the multilateral system.</p>
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<p>For media inquiries, please contact William French, Head of Communications at The Elders (+44 7795 693903) or email: [email protected]</p>
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