UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese: UN
The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Judean Desert, Samaria and Gaza, Francesca Albanese, has made serious accusations against Israel, saying that the country is “committing genocide” against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. This was reported by the news portal TimeUkraineIsrael with reference to Israel’s Channel 9.
Genocide charges
In her latest report, published on 29 October, Albanese noted that the genocide of Palestinians is clearly a means to an end – the complete removal or destruction of Palestinians from their land. “This land is an integral part of their identity, which Israel illegally seeks to seize,” she stressed.
The diplomat noted that since the creation of Israel, the country has treated the Palestinian people as a threat to be eliminated and has subjected millions of Palestinians to daily humiliation, massacres, arrests, forced displacement, racial segregation and apartheid for generations. She also described the military operation launched by Israel following the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 as part of a systematic effort to force migration and expel Palestinians.
Israel’s response
In response, the Israeli Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva described Albanese as a “political activist” who is abusing her mandate to try to hide her hatred of Israel. “According to her hateful paradigm, Israel has no historical basis for existence, no right to defend its citizens, and the 7 October attack and hostage rescue are used only as justification,” Israeli officials said.
They also added that Albanese regularly promotes anti-Semitism, covers up terrorism and distorts the law. “She must be urgently held accountable for her ongoing abuses,” they said.
The importance of covering the conflict
This situation once again underlines the importance of objective coverage of the conflict in the region and the need to understand all its aspects. The allegations have sparked a broad discussion about human rights, international law and Israeli policy in the context of its relations with the Palestinians.
We also recall that only a month ago, Albanese questioned Israel’s right to a seat at the United Nations, which the country received in 1949.
