Over 100 artists for Palestine back UN’s Albanese after resignation calls | United Nations News
France, Germany Call for UN Rapporteur to Resign Amid Controversy
France and Germany have formally requested the resignation of Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territory, following her critical remarks regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza.
This call for Albanese’s removal comes as more than 100 prominent artists—including musicians, actors, and writers—expressed solidarity with her in an open letter. The group, known as Artists for Palestine, conveyed their support on Saturday, praising Albanese as a defender of human rights and the Palestinian people’s right to exist.
The letter states, “There are infinitely more of us in every corner of the Earth who want force no longer to be the law. Who know what the word ‘law’ truly means.” Notable signatories include actors Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem, as well as Nobel Prize-winning author Annie Ernaux and British musician Annie Lennox.
Albanese has faced scrutiny for her outspoken criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. During the recent Al Jazeera Forum, she remarked that “we as humanity have a common enemy.” A misrepresented video led to accusations that she labeled Israel as this enemy; however, she clarified in a social media post that she was referring to the broader system enabling violence against Palestinians.
Despite the artist support, France and Germany continue to advocate for her dismissal. On Tuesday, a coalition of French lawmakers sent a letter to Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, condemning Albanese’s comments as “anti-Semitic.” Following this, Barrot called for her resignation, labeling her remarks as “outrageous and reprehensible.”
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described Albanese’s position as “untenable.” Frank Barat, an author and film producer, criticized the French government for fostering an environment that suppresses discussions surrounding Israel. He emphasized that Albania’s critiques of international law in relation to Gaza have led to her being targeted by Western governments, stating that the political agenda aims to stifle any criticism of Israel.
Marta Hurtado, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern over the backlash against Albanese. “We are worried that UN officials, independent experts, and judicial officials are increasingly subjected to personal attacks, threats, and misinformation that distracts from serious human rights issues,” she noted during a recent briefing.
As the conflict persists, nearly 600 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza since a ceasefire was declared on October 10. The continuing violence has resulted in at least 72,000 Palestinian deaths and 171,000 injuries since the escalation began in October 2023.
