Overview
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called Francesca Albanese’s comments “outrageous and reprehensible” and said France will raise the issue at the UN Human Rights Council on February 23.
- Germany’s Johann Wadephul, Austria’s Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Italy’s Antonio Tajani urged her to step down, citing concerns about impartiality and past statements.
- Albanese denies saying Israel is the “common enemy of humanity,” telling France 24 the claim is false and arguing her comments were edited and referred to a “system” enabling atrocities.
- The Combat Antisemitism Movement sent a formal letter to the Human Rights Council seeking her removal, arguing her rhetoric violates neutrality required of UN mandate holders.
- UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric stressed special rapporteurs act independently of the Secretariat and said any action is for member states to pursue, with no formal removal move reported so far.