U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres is facing criticism once again for his silence on Francesca Albanese, the controversial U.N. special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, who has been accused of antisemitism. Albanese is set to present her latest report, “Genocide as colonial erasure,” before the U.N. General Assembly’s Third Committee, sparking outrage among member states.
According to Anne Bayefsky, president of Human Rights Voices, Albanese’s report reveals her true intentions of targeting the destruction of the Jewish state. Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, condemned Albanese for spreading hate and supporting Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Despite calls for action against Albanese’s antisemitic remarks, U.N. Secretary-General Guterres has refrained from commenting on rapporteurs. The failure to address Albanese’s conduct has raised concerns about her adherence to the U.N. Code of Conduct.
Critics, including Hillel Neuer of United Nations Watch, have called for Albanese’s dismissal and expressed disappointment in the lack of action taken by U.N. officials. The U.S. State Department has also condemned Albanese’s antisemitism and expressed disapproval of her actions.
Albanese’s upcoming tour of U.S. colleges has sparked further controversy, with concerns raised about her spreading antisemitism on American campuses. Despite calls to restrict her movements, the State Department has not taken action, drawing criticism from advocates for Jewish rights.
Albanese’s scheduled appearances at prestigious universities like Georgetown, Barnard, and Princeton have raised alarm bells, with fears that her rhetoric could fuel hatred and incite violence. The Anti-Defamation League has expressed concern over her planned speaking engagements in the U.S.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Francesca Albanese and the lack of action from U.N. officials and the State Department highlight the urgent need to address and combat antisemitism in international forums and educational institutions.
