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Vincent James Hooper
Global Finance and Geopolitics Specialist.

Trump’s WHO Withdrawal: A Reckless Move for Global Health—and a Blow to Israel?

On January 20, 2025, on the very first day of his second term, former President Donald Trump decided to once again kick the United States out of the World Health Organization (WHO), halting American financial contributions and pulling personnel. A familiar move from the man who once made a habit of severing ties with international institutions, Trump’s decision is a classic display of his tendency to turn his back on global cooperation whenever it suits his narrative.

This isn’t Trump’s first attempt to exit the WHO. Back in 2020, during his first term, he tried to withdraw, citing frustration over the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its dealings with China. That move was swiftly reversed by President Biden in 2021, but clearly, Trump hasn’t learned anything from that experience. This time, he’s picking up right where he left off, signaling that his isolationist instincts remain as strong as ever.

The rationale behind Trump’s decision is nothing new: He blames the WHO for bungling the COVID-19 response and accuses it of being too cozy with China. He also complains that the organization hasn’t reformed fast enough to meet the challenges of a changing global health landscape, and that the US is being unfairly burdened with contributions. In his mind, it’s just another case of the US being the world’s ATM, with nothing to show for it.

But let’s be real: While the WHO is certainly not without its flaws, Trump’s knee-jerk reaction to withdraw isn’t going to fix anything. In fact, it’s a textbook example of cutting off your nose to spite your face. The WHO, for all its imperfections, is the one organization that coordinates global health efforts, provides aid during pandemics, and ensures access to vaccines and treatments worldwide. Walking away from it now—especially as the world faces increasingly complex health challenges—couldn’t be more short-sighted.

The Israeli Dimension

Israel, often dubbed the “Startup Nation” for its world-leading innovations in health tech, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, relies on international collaboration to scale its breakthroughs. The WHO provides the framework for partnerships that ensure Israeli innovations, like cutting-edge cancer treatments and AI-powered diagnostic tools, reach global markets. Trump’s withdrawal jeopardizes these channels, creating bureaucratic and political hurdles for Israeli companies trying to navigate global health systems.

Moreover, the WHO plays a pivotal role in coordinating responses to regional health crises, including those affecting the Middle East. Whether it’s providing vaccines during outbreaks, managing cross-border epidemics, or addressing health inequities in Palestinian territories, the WHO has been a vital, if imperfect, platform for fostering collaboration. Without US support, Israel risks being left in a fractured health landscape where regional cooperation becomes even more challenging.

And let’s not overlook public perception. Israel’s partnership with the US in health initiatives, like joint research and pandemic preparedness, has bolstered its image as a humanitarian leader. Trump’s withdrawal undercuts these efforts, diminishing the credibility of health diplomacy and leaving Israel caught between aligning with its closest ally and maintaining goodwill in multilateral settings.

Losing the Bigger Picture

The US has long been a global leader in health initiatives, from fighting HIV/AIDS and malaria to spearheading programs like PEPFAR [https://www.state.gov/pepfar/], which has saved millions of lives. Trump’s withdrawal risks abandoning that leadership role, leaving a vacuum for countries like China to fill, further cementing their influence over global health policy. Israel, which benefits from strong ties to the US, could find itself at a disadvantage in a world where China exerts more control over health norms and regulations.

The WHO’s work extends well beyond pandemics. It’s involved in tackling non-communicable diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes—issues that are just as critical, yet seem to be conveniently ignored in Trump’s rush to pull out. Israel, with its rising rates of chronic illnesses mirroring global trends, stands to lose access to critical WHO US-sourced data and support.

Isolationism is Not the Answer

Let’s be clear: The idea that the US can solve global health problems on its own is pure fantasy. The COVID-19 pandemic made it painfully obvious that no country is immune from global health threats, and Trump’s isolationist mindset will only make future crises worse. The WHO provides the infrastructure for countries to share information, resources, and strategies to combat health challenges together. Without it, the world risks repeating the mistakes of the past—mistakes that will cost lives.

Some might argue that the WHO hasn’t always lived up to its mandate. And sure, there’s room for improvement. But the answer isn’t throwing up our hands and walking away. What the world needs is stronger collaboration, shared expertise, and—dare I say it—mutual support. The US, as a global leader, should be working to fix these institutions, not dismantle them.

In the end, Trump’s decision might win him applause from his base, but it will have devastating consequences for global health—and for allies like Israel. It’s a step back for the world’s ability to respond to future pandemics, a blow to the US’s global influence, and a disruption to the partnerships Israel depends on for its own health security. In a world that is more interconnected than ever, his decision to embrace isolationism couldn’t be more misguided. And let’s face it—this is exactly the kind of reckless move we’ve come to expect.

About the Author
Religion: Church of England. [This is not an organized religion but rather quite disorganized].
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