A group of U.S. lawmakers, with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL) at the forefront, has appealed to Jürg Lauber, president of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), urging him to block Francesca Albanese’s reappointment as special rapporteur for the “occupied Palestinian territories.”
The legislators laid out their case in a letter to Lauber, accusing Albanese of violating the standards expected of her role and making incendiary remarks about Israel, particularly in the wake of the October 7 Hamas massacre.
Signed by Representatives Young Kim (R-CA), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Keith Self (R-TX), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), and Ryan Zinke (R-MT), the letter claims Albanese’s actions have fallen far short of what should be acceptable behavior for someone serving under the UN’s banner.
“[Albanese] has consistently aligned herself with Hamas terrorists, accused Israel of genocide, likened the Government of Israel to the ‘Third Reich,’ and compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler,” the lawmakers wrote. “The Council has allowed antisemitism and anti-Americanism to thrive within, with a seeming unwillingness to hold the most egregious violators of human rights to account.”
The lawmakers presented various examples of what they see as Albanese’s breaches of the UNHRC’s code of conduct, which calls for neutrality, ethical behavior, and professionalism from rapporteurs. They charged her with spreading antisemitic narratives, defending Hamas, and attacking Israel’s right to exist. They also pointed to her repeated criticism of the United States’ support for Israel, including allegations that pro-Israel lobbying groups heavily influence American politicians.
Their strongest criticism was reserved for Albanese’s statements following Hamas’ deadly October 7 assault, in which more than 1,200 people were murdered and 250 taken hostage. Albanese described the massacre as an act that should be considered within the “context” of supposed Israeli “aggression.”
In their letter, the lawmakers called on Lauber to exercise his authority to deny Albanese’s reappointment, saying that keeping her in the position damages the UNHRC’s already fragile standing. “By rejecting the renewal of Ms. Albanese’s term, the Council would bring much-needed credibility, integrity, and accountability back to the institution – attributes of which it has been severely lacking in recent years,” the letter stated.
Concerns over Albanese’s views first came to light in 2022, when she made social media posts claiming that the “Jewish lobby” exerts control over the U.S. government — rhetoric widely condemned as antisemitic.
Albanese dismissed those accusations, saying the remarks were “mischaracterized,” but critics argue her anti-Israel stance has only become more apparent since then.The post US Lawmakers Demand UN Reject Reappointment of Francesca Albanese first appeared on Matzav.com.