The United States and Israel have left the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The withdrawal is seen as mainly procedural, but serves as a blow to the body.

The US filed its notice to withdraw in October 2017 and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu followed suit, accusing the UN agency of an anti-Israel bias.

In a statement at the time, the US State Department said it wanted to to withdraw from the organisation and establish a permanent observer mission to UNESCO.

It said: "This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects US concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organization, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO.

"The United States indicated to (UNESCO's) Director General its desire to remain engaged with UNESCO as a non-member observer state in order to contribute US views, perspectives and expertise on some of the important issues undertaken by the organisation, including the protection of world heritage, advocating for press freedoms, and promoting scientific collaboration and education."

The withdrawal automatically took effect on December 31st, 2018.

The US has pulled out of UNESCO before in 1984 under Ronald Reagan.

His administration viewed the agency as mismanaged, corrupt and used to advance Soviet interests.

However it rejoined back in 2003.

Israel was a member of UNESCO since September 1949.

But it is reported Israel had been angered in recent years by repeated resolutions that it claimed ignored and diminished its connection to the Holy Land, and that have named ancient Jewish sites as Palestinian heritage sites.

Paris-based UNESCO was founded on November 16th 1945.

Its mission is to create conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values.