Patricia Zengerle and John Irish

WASHINGTON/PARIS – Four years after Donald Trump disassociated the United States from the U.N. cultural agency UNESCO, diplomatic and congressional sources reported that the United States was making preliminary steps to rejoin the organization.

One-fifth funding was provided by the United States, however Barack Obama’s predecessor stopped paying when Palestine joined as a full member in 2011. This is because U.S. law bars Palestine from receiving any U.S. funds. Washington had $542 million owed when it left.

However, encouraged by President Joe Biden’s administration, the Senate Appropriations Committee introduced legislation this week to waive that law if Biden – and appropriate congressional committees – believe rejoining UNESCO would allow Washington to counter Chinese influence or promote other U.S. interests.

A U.S. diplomat stated that “we don’t have any announcements on UNESCO” at the moment.

The United States and Israel both withdrew their membership from UNESCO. Unnamed Western diplomat sources said Israel is keen to be back but would wait for Washington’s move.

UNESCO declared that Israel and the United States would return to their homelands. However, the organization believes there is still a lot of hope for them.

The Senate legislation would require the United States to leave UNESCO if Palestine joined other U.N. agencies. Washington would be required to leave these organizations.

For the waiver to be made law, it must pass both the Senate & House of Representatives. There has not been any indication by congressional leaders as to when that vote could take place.

Audrey Azoulay (UNESCO Director General) is due to be elected next month for a second term. She traveled to America last month. Jill, the wife of former UNESCO teachers, was her lobbyist, according to a diplomat speaking under condition anonymity.

When asked by Israel’s Foreign Ministry about a possible return to UNESCO, it declined to respond.

This organization is well-known because it protects and designs archaeological and heritage locations, including the Galapagos Islands (NASDAQ;) and Timbuktu’s tombs.

Diplomats stated that, while Israel and Palestine had clashed over UNESCO in past, both sides were now working under UNESCO mediation even though Israel isn’t a member.