U.S.-Sanctioned Francesca Albanese to Speak at University of Southern Maine Conference
Publicly funded USM will host the sanctioned UN official who called Israel the "common enemy" of "humanity" at Qatar forum featuring Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal
On February 28, 2026, the University of Southern Maine’s Department of Criminology and Sociology, in coordination with the Maine Coalition for Palestine and Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights, will host an all-day conference titled “The Consequence of Palestine” at Hannaford Hall in the Abromson Community Education Center.
The publicly funded institution will feature UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese appearing virtually, who has recently stirred controversy for calling Israel humanity's "common enemy" at the 17th Al Jazeera Forum also attended by Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal.
Albanese Declares Israel as a “Common Enemy”
Albanese delivered controversial remarks at the 17th Al Jazeera Forum in Doha from February 7-9, 2026. Speaking at the Qatar-based forum—which also featured Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi—Albanese stated: “We who do not control large amounts of financial capital, algorithms, and weapons – we now see that we as humanity have a common enemy,” in reference to Israel.
The remarks prompted immediate criticism from multiple governments and organizations. European nations including France, Germany, and Czechia, formally called for her removal from her UN position, with the Combat Antisemitism Movement demanding her dismissal. Albanese’s office later contested the characterization, claiming her statement was misquoted or taken out of context, though full video of her remarks remained subject to interpretive dispute.
Albanese has been included on the U.S. Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals list, alongside ICC staff members. The designation subjects her to asset freezes and prohibits U.S. citizens and entities from conducting transactions with her.
Listed Speaker’s Ties to U.S.-Sanctioned Al-Haq
Fateh Azzam, listed as a speaker representing the Maine Coalition for Palestine, previously directed al-Haq from 1987 to 1995, according to his professional profile. On October 2021, Israel’s Ministry of Defense designated al-Haq as a “terror organization” for operating on behalf of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
The U.S. government escalated its enforcement on September 4, 2025, when the State Department designated al-Haq, along with Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, as entities engaged in efforts to investigate and prosecute Israeli nationals at the International Criminal Court without Israeli consent.
Broader Network of Hosting Organizations
Member organizations of the Maine Coalition for Palestine include the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), Maine Democratic Socialists of America, and Jewish Voice for Peace Maine (JVP).
The PSL and Maine DSA are far-left organizations that have faced scrutiny for involvement in a broader network of protest organizations linked to China-based, Marxist tycoon Neville Roy Singham. Singham was the subject of a recent hearing investigating the dynamics of “malign foreign influence” before the House Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Rep. Jason Smith.
JVP, an organization with documented involvement in fueling antisemitism and partnering with groups connected to terrorism, has been the subject of extensive criticism from watchdog groups for its role in delegitimizing Israel and amplifying hostile narratives.
Jewish Onliner reached out to the University of Southern Maine but did not immediately receive a response to requests for comment.
Good to have a cross section of viewpoints. I guess they couldn't get Hitler or Tucker Carlson.