paris unite state israel announce thursday quit u.n. cultural agency unesco washington accuse anti-israeli bias withdrawal unite state mean provide fifth unesco fund major blow paris-based organization found world war two help protect cultural natural heritage around world unesco best know designate world heritage sit ancient city palmyra syria grand canyon national park decision take lightly reflect u.s. concern mount arrears unesco need fundamental reform organization continue anti-israel bias state department spokeswoman heather nauert say statement hours late prime minister benjamin netanyahu say israel would quit call u.s. decision brave moral unesco director-general irina bokova express disappointment time conflict continue tear apart societies across world deeply regrettable unite state withdraw unite nations agency promote education peace protect culture attack say loss unite nations family loss multilateralism washington already withhold fund unesco since 2011 body admit palestine full member unite state israel among 14 194 members vote admit palestinians washington arrears 80 million annual dues since 500 million although washington support future independent palestinian state say emerge peace talk consider unhelpful international organizations admit palestine negotiations complete recent years israel repeatedly complain say body take side dispute cultural heritage sit jerusalem palestinian territories today new day u.n. price pay discrimination israel israel ambassador unite nations danny danon say netanyahu tell world leaders u.n. general assembly last month unesco promote fake history designate hebron two adjoin shrine heart jewish tomb patriarchs muslim ibrahimi mosque palestinian world heritage site danger arab-backed unesco resolution last year condemn israeli policies religious sit east jerusalem west bank unesco rule u.s. withdrawal become effective end december 2018. three diplomats tell reuters early thursday impend decision organization employ around 2,000 people worldwide base paris struggle relevance become increasingly hobble regional rivalries lack money unesco whose full name unite nations educational scientific cultural organization process select new chief whose priority revive fortunes u.s. move underscore scepticism express president donald trump need u.s. remain engage multi-lateral body president tout america first policy put u.s. economic national interest ahead international commitments since trump take office unite state abandon trans-pacific partnership trade talk withdraw paris climate deal washington also review membership geneva-based u.n. human right council also accuse anti-israel absence unite state large country lot power loss money promote ideals vital countries like unite state education culture unesco-based diplomat say warn others could follow differ reason britain japan brazil among state yet pay dues 2017. russia former envoy unesco tell ria news agency agency good without americans recent years use organization eleanora mitrofanova say since 2011 practically pay budget organization ... decide exit absolutely line trump general logic today four days secret ballot pick new unesco chief qatar hamad bin abdulaziz al-kawari qualify friday runoff france audrey azoulay egypt moushira khattab tie second one eliminate another vote 58-member executive council friday two finalists end level draw lot election expose deep rivalries qatar egypt root crisis engulf qatar gulf arab neighbor sever diplomatic trade travel tie doha accuse sponsor hardline islamist group charge qatar deny u.s. israel quit u.n. heritage agency cite bias