Israel has formally notified the UN's culture and education body UNESCO of its withdrawal from the organisation. In a statement, UNESCO chief, Audrey Azoulay said she was officially notified yesterday that Israel would leave on December 31, 2018. <br/><br/>Earlier in October, United States announced that it is pulling out of the organisation accusing UNESCO of having an anti-Israel bias. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also accused UNESCO of becoming the theatre of the absurd. The pullout by the US and Israel followed two Arab-sponsored resolutions adopted by Paris-based UNESCO this year which were critical of Israel.<br/><br/>The 195-member body is best known for producing a list of World Heritage sites that have become tourist favourites. UNESCO also runs science, educational and cultural programmes, including programmes to educate people about the Holocaust and promote intercultural dialogue.<br/>