Calls Grow to End Contract of Controversial UN Rapporteur
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, faces a renewal of her mandate despite alleged patterns of antisemitism and support for Palestinian terror groups
Francesca Albanese, the contentious United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, is poised for mandate renewal by the UN Human Rights Council on April 4th. This renewal comes despite escalating scrutiny over her controversial remarks, questionable affiliations, and alleged support for terror groups.
A History of Antisemitic Statements
Since her appointment in 2022, Albanese has consistently attracted criticism for statements widely regarded as antisemitic. Notably, in 2014 she publicly accused both the BBC and the United States government of being influenced by "the Jewish lobby," invoking a longstanding antisemitic conspiracy theory about Jewish control of influential institutions. These comments, circulated widely on social media, provoked immediate and sustained condemnation from human rights organizations and Jewish advocacy groups internationally.
Questionable Ties and Controversial Endorsements
Further complicating her tenure, Albanese’s involvement with terror organizations has raised serious concerns about her objectivity. In November 2022, she participated in a conference organized by Hamas, the Islamist group internationally designated as a terrorist organization. During the event, Albanese told the Hamas crowd it had the supposed "right" to engage in violence against Israel. Her presence and remarks drew intense criticism from observers questioning the suitability of a UN official openly supporting organizations responsible for terrorism.
Reactions to the October 7th Hamas Attack
Albanese’s controversies intensified following the devastating Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, universally acknowledged as the worst atrocity committed against Jews since the Holocaust. Instead of unequivocally condemning the massacre, Albanese suggested the violence needed to be “contextualized,” implicitly attributing blame to Israeli policies. This stance triggered swift condemnation from multiple governments and human rights advocates, further undermining her credibility.
Throughout subsequent developments in Gaza, Albanese frequently spread misinformation and unsubstantiated allegations concerning Israeli military actions. She repeatedly claimed Israel was deliberately starving Gaza's population and propagated inflated casualty figures without credible verification. These actions raised significant doubts about her adherence to UN standards requiring impartiality and factual integrity.
Promotion of Extremist Figures
In recent months, Albanese’s social media activities have sparked additional outrage. She has consistently amplified extremist voices, notably reposting content from Ubai Aboudi, a convicted terrorist affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Aboudi was implicated in a thwarted suicide bombing targeting the Latrun museum in 2005 and was imprisoned in 2019 for recruiting activists to the PFLP. Additionally, Albanese has promoted content by Hamas-affiliated Ramy Abdu and individuals spreading grotesque antisemitic conspiracies, including allegations that "Jews eat human flesh."
Global Backlash
The repercussions of Albanese’s controversial activities have led to rare and pointed criticism from leading international figures and governments. France and Germany condemned her reaction to the October Hamas attacks, labeling her statements as scandalous and deeply troubling. Prominent U.S. officials, including former Special Envoy on Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt, explicitly characterized Albanese’s rhetoric as antisemitic. Lipstadt notably stated that "Such blatant antisemitic rhetoric–particularly when it’s an established pattern–is simply unacceptable. It severely undermines the credibility of the UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur "
Implications for the UN Human Rights Council
As Francesca Albanese approaches her mandate renewal, critics and observers express profound concern about the implications of her continued role. The controversies surrounding Albanese raise significant questions about the effectiveness of the UN’s vetting procedures and its ability to maintain credibility and impartiality within critical human rights positions.
Really, she should be hung and not fired. But I guess the world is an imperfect place
She should be persona non grata in Israel regardless of her post.