UN Official Faces Calls for Resignation Amid Genocide Claims and Israel Entry Ban
Geneva – Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, is facing increasing scrutiny and calls for her resignation following accusations of bias and inflammatory remarks regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The controversy comes as international attention remains focused on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On March 26, 2024, Albanese stated that there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, presenting her findings in a report entitled ‘Anatomy of a Genocide’ to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. She cited three specific acts she believes constitute genocide: causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about destruction and measures intended to prevent birth.
“Following nearly six months of unrelenting Israeli assault on occupied Gaza, it is my solemn duty to report on the worst of what humanity is capable of, and to present my findings,” Albanese said. She further asserted that “the genocide in Gaza is the most extreme stage of a long-standing settler colonial process of erasure of the native Palestinians.”
Israel responded to Albanese’s report by banning her from entering the country on February 13, 2024, citing a “scandalous statement” where she suggested that victims of the October 7th attacks were not killed because of their “Jewishness” but in response to Israeli oppression. Israeli ministers called for the UN to publicly condemn her words and remove her from her position.
The ban and subsequent criticism have sparked further debate about the objectivity of UN reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Several Czech politicians have also called for Albanese’s resignation, deeming her statements “unacceptable.” Macinka, a Czech official, specifically demanded her resignation, according to reports.
Albanese, who has served as the UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 2022, has been a vocal critic of Israel’s policies. She has previously described the situation in the region as akin to apartheid. In response to the criticism, Albanese stated she would not be intimidated by those involved in what she termed the Palestinian exodus, known as an-Nakba.
The development underscores growing tensions between Israel and international bodies overseeing human rights and humanitarian efforts in the region. The controversy surrounding Albanese’s statements and her subsequent ban from Israel could further complicate diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing conflict.
