(JTA) — The Trump administration reportedly is considering pulling out of the United Nations Human Rights Council, in part over its targeting of Israel.
The withdrawal is not expected in time for the council’s new session, which starts Monday, Politico reported Saturday, citing two unnamed sources in regular contact with former and current U.S. officials.
While the council’s targeting of Israel is one reason that the U.S. would quit the council, questions over its members and its overall effectiveness would also be part of the decision, an unnamed former State Department official told the news magazine.
Countries known for committing human rights abuses currently have seats on the council.
“There’s been a series of requests coming from the secretary of state’s office that suggests that he is questioning the value of the U.S. belonging to the Human Rights Council,” the former State Department official told Politico.
Earlier this month, the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, slammed the U.N. Security Council for its obsession with Israel.
“I’m here to say the United States will not turn a blind eye to this anymore,” Haley said following the Feb. 16 meeting.
A final decision on remaining a member of the council would involve Haley and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, as well as President Donald Trump.
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