UN Watch urges Rubio to sanction ‘pro-Hamas’ UN Special Rapporteur Albanese

The United Nations watchdog organization, U.N. Watch, has called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take action against Francesca Albanese, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, whose second term is set to begin on May 1. In a letter to Rubio, Executive Director Hillel Neuer argues that the U.S. government should sanction Albanese, deny her entry and visas, and strip her of diplomatic immunity.

Neuer describes Albanese as being “pro-Hamas” and alleges that her reappointment was done illegally. He claims that U.N. rules requiring an investigation into her misconduct were violated, rendering her term renewal null and void. Neuer believes that the U.S. should act against Albanese, similar to cases involving anti-Israel activists like Mahmoud Khalil, citing the recent decision by the Department of Justice to allow lawsuits against the UNRWA as evidence that Rubio has the authority to take action.

When asked about U.N. Watch’s letter, Pascal Sim, Spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Council, defended Albanese’s reappointment, stating that she can serve as Special Rapporteur until April 30, 2028, based on the “no longer than six years” principle. Sim clarified that the Human Rights Council does not need to formally reappoint or renew mandate-holders, as they can serve up to six years in their function.

Earlier this month, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Brian Mast urged the U.N. not to reappoint Albanese, accusing her of using her role to legitimize antisemitic tropes and serve as a Hamas apologist. The Anti-Defamation League has compiled a list of antisemitic and anti-Israel statements made by Albanese over the years, including likening Israel’s actions in Gaza to the Holocaust and referring to the Gaza Strip as a “concentration camp of the 21st century.”

Despite attempts to reach out to Francesca Albanese and the State Department for comment, there has been no response as of publication. The controversy surrounding Albanese’s reappointment highlights the ongoing tensions within the international community regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rubio and other officials will need to carefully consider the allegations against Albanese and decide on the appropriate course of action moving forward.