UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer appeared on Fox News with anchor Cheryl Casone to deliver a powerful response to China’s propaganda campaign at the United Nations. As Beijing prepared to host a UN Security Council meeting accusing the U.S. of “bullying,” Neuer called out the regime’s hypocrisy, citing its repression of minorities, intimidation of diplomats, and manipulation of UN platforms to whitewash its abuses. The conversation also addressed the UN’s appointment of known Hamas supporter Francesca Albanese, the misuse of U.S. taxpayer funds, and the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to international organizations. Read the full transcript of the interview below.
FOX NEWS HOST CHERYL CASONE:
China is holding an informal United Nations Security Council meeting tomorrow, accusing the United States of bullying by weaponizing terrorists. The Chinese diplomat has sent a note to all 193 UN member states.
I want to bring in UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer. Hillel, I want to get your reaction to that statement from them.
HILLEL NEUER:
The official meeting tomorrow is titled “Bullying and Unilateralism.” It is nothing less than Orwellian to see the Communist regime of China organizing a UN meeting accusing the United States-or any democracy-of bullying.
Let’s recall, this is a regime that, as a matter of practice, bullies its own people and its neighbors. Any country that recognizes democratic Taiwan gets threatened by China. Any country that stands with the persecuted Uyghur minority gets bullied by China.
I’ve seen it firsthand at the United Nations in Geneva-when the Chinese ambassador sent threatening letters to any ambassador who dared attend a meeting about the Uyghurs.
China bullies its neighbors in the South China Sea. So the notion that the Communist dictatorship of Xi Jinping is organizing a UN meeting to condemn the U.S. for bullying is Orwellian-and frankly brings new meaning to the word irony.
FOX NEWS:
This is why the Trump administration talks about pulling funding from the United Nations. If we’re funding an organization that doesn’t protect all countries-including the United States-then what’s the point?
HILLEL NEUER:
President Trump has said that the UN could be beautiful. Its ideals are beautiful: international peace, security, fundamental freedoms. But over the years, the world body has become hijacked.
China is a permanent member of the Human Rights Council. They always get elected. Also sitting there: Communist Cuba, and the Qatari regime that sponsors terrorism. The Human Rights Council has been hijacked.
Under Trump, U.S. funding stopped for UNRWA-the UN agency that is completely infested with Hamas.
Coming back to the Human Rights Council, they have experts that they appoint. The Trump administration just last week complained about the reappointment of Francesca Albanese-a known supporter of Hamas-as UN expert on Palestine for another three years.
She openly supports Hamas. She’s been condemned by four or five countries for hatred against Jews. The Trump administration rightly said that her reappointment shows the UN tolerates anti-Americanism, support for terrorism, and antisemitism.
The U.S. is giving $13 billion a year to the UN. Some programs are necessary. But a lot of them may get the axe-and frankly, the UN needs to know that, and deserves it.
FOX NEWS:
Qatari and Egyptian mediators are reportedly proposing a new peace plan for Israel and Hamas. It includes a five-to-seven-year truce, the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a formal end to the war, and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. What are your thoughts?
HILLEL NEUER:
The reports are relatively recent-coming from Egypt and Qatar, with some Saudi media also reporting. We haven’t yet seen Israel’s response.
But the basic facts remain: Hamas is holding 59 hostages, including an American citizen. Hamas is a suicidal death cult. Its raison d’être-its entire purpose-is to destroy the State of Israel. It is funded, armed, and trained by Iran. None of that is going away.
So of course, Israel will do everything to get its hostages back. But at the same time, Israel must maintain the ability to erode and ultimately destroy Hamas.
As long as Hamas sits meters from Israeli communities, there will be no peace. Israel’s economy can’t develop while Hamas exists. It’s a dilemma-Israel must get its hostages out, but can’t abandon the fight against this fanatical Islamist death cult.
FOX NEWS:
And is Iran going to continue funding Hamas? That’s a question being asked now. I want to revisit something else, because it’s important.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering a proposal to cut funding for more than 20 international organizations-including the UN and NATO-and reduce the State Department budget, reallocating funds for America First priorities.
The U.S. contributed about $13 billion to the UN in 2023-$3.5 billion to NATO. A State Department spokesperson says the proposal is just an early draft, not a final plan.
HILLEL NEUER:
It would be a major shift. I can tell you from Geneva, where I’m based: the UN is already reeling from recent cuts. There are various UN agencies feeling the pain.
The UN is getting the message. It may not be possible or desirable to cut every program. Some, like the World Food Programme, are in America’s interest to maintain.
But many UN programs are corrupt, wasteful-or outright anti-American.
The World Health Organization, at the start of COVID, simply parroted Beijing’s propaganda. One of their “Goodwill Ambassadors” is the wife of China’s dictator. Another is a Chinese propagandist.
So there are many agencies that should be defunded-or should at least feel the pressure. When President Trump issues a credible threat, the U.S. has leverage-and can use it.
FOX NEWS:
When it comes to NATO, that’s a different kettle of fish. It’s been essential since World War II to protect the Western alliance and Western civilization.
HILLEL NEUER:
Absolutely. American leadership is necessary. European countries have been ripping off America-they haven’t been paying their share. They have lavish social programs and need to step up. They must become better NATO citizens.
But the U.S. shouldn’t give up on NATO. We need it.
FOX NEWS HOST:
Hillel Neuer, thank you so much for joining us.
