United Staff for Gaza defends Francesca Albanese, condemns European ministers’ ‘vitriolic’ accusations
United Staff for Gaza, a collective of UN personnel, has expressed strong support for Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, following attacks from a pro-Israel NGO and several European government officials.
In a statement released on Monday, hundreds of UN staff members affiliated with the group pushed back against the European governments targeting Albanese.
“United Staff for Gaza regrets the dis-misinformation that has circulated in recent days concerning Special Rapporteur Albanese, which has been taken up by the French, German and other Foreign Ministers in their levelling of unwarranted, vitriolic accusations against the Special Rapporteur,” the group said in a statement on Friday.
The group called for “an end to personal attacks, threats, intimidation, and disinformation targeting UN agencies, mandate-holders, and personnel,” warning that such actions undermine the integrity of the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms.
According to its website, United Staff for Gaza serves as a platform for "UN colleagues around the world, regardless of their areas of work, to speak out against the perpetration of mass atrocity crimes in the Gaza Strip and help defend the UN Charter."
In recent days, Albanese has faced repeated attacks from pro-Israel figures and organizations, including UN Watch, a Geneva-based NGO known for its pro-Israel advocacy.
Several European governments have also called for Albanese’s resignation, echoing allegations first circulated by the NGO.
The attacks on Albanese have, in turn, drawn scrutiny towards Western officials accused of amplifying unfounded claims against a UN human rights expert.
She has also received backing from UNRWA, which said in a statement that the latest attacks against her “aim at silencing her voice and undermining the few remaining independent human rights reporting mechanisms.”
“[Our] statement is not just to support her, but to stand against all untruthful smear campaigns that target the UN and advocates for the human rights of Palestinians worldwide, including UNRWA,” Dali ten Hove, a former UN staff member and member of United Staff for Gaza, was quoted as saying.
Support for Albanese has extended beyond the UN. More than 100 artists have publicly defended her amid mounting calls for her resignation from pro-Israel governments and advocacy groups.
Albanese is one of the most prominent global figures calling out Israel for its genocidal war in Gaza, and advocating for Palestinian rights more broadly, positions that have drawn sustained criticism from pro-Israel Western governments and organizations.
Sheikh Qassem: Hezbollah does not seek war, but will never surrender
Hamas slams Israel's plan to expand East al-Quds boundaries
Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s seizure of West Bank land, warns of regional instability
Iran to hold 40th day commemoration for martyrs of terrorist riots
Lebanon’s parliament speaker urges pressure on Israel to stop ceasefire violations
UK government asked not to release Mandelson emails on Epstein: Report
VIDEO | Gaza Ramadan initiative
Hillary Clinton slams Trump for ‘betraying the West and NATO’
UN Staff group defends Francesca Albanese, condemns European ministers’ ‘vitriolic’ accusations
VIDEO | Full intelligence oversight maintained over Strait of Hormuz: IRGC Navy Commander
Sheikh Qassem: Hezbollah does not seek war, but will never surrender
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
