‘You Cannot Silence the Truth in the Face of a Genocide,’ Says UN Rapporteur Albanese
Albanese said she has faced what she described as “spurious accusations of antisemitism” and claims of supporting terrorism, allegations she firmly rejected.
UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese speaks during a press conference at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium on November 19, 2025. Photo by Anadolu Images.
U
N Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese said she will continue speaking out against Israel’s actions in Gaza despite U.S. sanctions, personal threats and mounting political pressure, insisting that attempts to silence her will fail.
In an interview with Anadolu in London, Albanese said the sanctions imposed by Washington and the accusations levelled against her are part of an escalating campaign aimed at suppressing scrutiny of alleged crimes in Gaza.
“They have become more and more vicious with personal threats and physical threats, and then the sanctions are a combination of it,” Albanese said. “But you cannot silence the truth in the face of a genocide.”
Sanctions and accusations
The United States imposed sanctions on Albanese more than five months ago, barring her from travelling to the country and allowing for the freezing of any U.S.-based assets. The measures were announced after Washington accused her of encouraging International Criminal Court (ICC) action against U.S. and Israeli officials.
Albanese said she has faced what she described as “spurious accusations of antisemitism” and claims of supporting terrorism, allegations she firmly rejected.
“These accusations have found fertile ground in the hypocrisy of many Western countries,” she said, adding that the pressure has only strengthened her resolve.
In August, several UN experts warned that sanctions on a UN special rapporteur risk undermining the independence of the international human rights system.
Call for accountability
Albanese stressed that accountability must extend beyond international courts and include individuals and institutions at the national level.
She noted that citizens from countries including the UK, France, Italy, Belgium and Tunisia have served in the Israeli military during the Gaza offensive, arguing that governments should investigate whether laws have been breached.
“They should be held accountable. They should be considered suspects,” she said, referring to individuals and entities allegedly complicit in crimes.
Israel is currently facing proceedings at both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court. In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
UN membership and cultural boycotts
Commenting on several European broadcasters withdrawing from the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in protest over Israel’s participation, Albanese said it was striking that cultural platforms were acting before diplomatic institutions.
“It’s incredible that Eurovision is the first public gathering where Israel is effectively being boycotted,” she said. “This should have happened in the UN General Assembly.”
She added that Israel’s UN membership should be suspended, arguing that the call is based on the scale and persistence of alleged violations rather than singling out one state.
Following confirmation earlier this month that Israel would compete in Eurovision 2026, broadcasters in Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain announced their withdrawal.
Pressure on Israel grows
Albanese urged governments and civil society to maintain pressure through what she called “popular action and principled mobilization.”
South Africa filed a case against Israel at the ICJ in December 2023, accusing it of committing acts of genocide in Gaza. Several countries, including Spain, Ireland, Belgium, Libya, Mexico and Türkiye, have since joined the proceedings.
The ICJ has issued provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent genocidal acts and ensure humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
More than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 170,000 injured since October 2023, according to Palestinian health authorities, in an offensive that has continued despite a truce announced in October.
Albanese said she remains convinced that sustained international pressure will eventually bring the violence to an end.
“This injustice will not last forever,” she said. “That is why more people need to stand against it.”
(Source: Anadolu News)
