Overview
- Germany’s Johann Wadephul and France’s Jean-Noël Barrot declared Albanese’s role untenable after her video address stating “we as humanity have a common enemy.”
- Albanese rejected calls to quit and denied labeling Israel a common enemy, saying she condemned a system that enables alleged crimes against Palestinians.
- Over 100 artists, including Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem and Annie Lennox, signed a letter supporting her, while the UN secretary-general’s spokesman said the UN disagrees with much of what she says.
- Critics point to past comments referencing a “Jewish lobby” and Nazi-era comparisons, and note the United States sanctioned her in July.
- France says it will press the issue at the UN Human Rights Council on 23 February following her appearance at a Doha forum linked to Al Jazeera that included Hamas and Iranian representatives.