NEW YORK — The United States has formally urged the United Nations to remove Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on Palestinian rights, citing a documented pattern of antisemitic rhetoric, support for terrorism, and denial of Israel’s right to self‑defence. Canada’s representative at the UN has not yet issued any public response.
In a June 20 letter to UN Secretary‑General António Guterres, the US mission said Albanese’s conduct, characterized by “virulent antisemitism and support for terrorism,” renders her unfit for the post. The letter described her report accusing companies of complicity in Israeli “genocide” as a “campaign of political and economic warfare.”
Albanese has repeatedly accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. She has excused Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, where eight Canadians were killed, calling for contextual justification. She has also invoked the antisemitic trope of a “Jewish lobby” controlling the U.S., likened Israelis to Nazis, and questioned Israel’s right to self‑defence.
The Times of Israel reports that she described the Jewish lobby’s influence in the U.S. and dismissed October 7 as a response to Israeli oppression. The U.S. formal position also highlighted her baseline animosity toward Israel.
Canadian Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman criticized Canada’s silence, stating, “In Canada, Liberal MPs meet with Francesca Albanese on Parliament Hill to platform her rhetoric, denial, and outright support for terror.”
Jewish and pro‑Israel groups, including UN Watch and the World Jewish Congress, have publicly condemned Albanese. Maram Stern, Executive Vice‑President of the World Jewish Congress, called her report “deeply biased” and accused her of advancing a political agenda rather than human rights.
At the UN Human Rights Council, supporters of Albanese have defended her appointment. However, American, French, and German diplomats have backed U.S. calls for her removal. Some questioned her legal qualifications after she began sending letters threatening corporate recipients with liability for alleged human rights abuses.
Diplomatic observers say Ottawa’s silence is notable given Canada’s commitment to confronting global antisemitism. “Silence in the face of this is not neutrality; it’s an endorsement of hate,” said a pro‑Israel advocacy leader. Canada has previously sided with allies in condemning Albanese’s comments but has not issued a formal reaction to the latest developments.
The U.S. call for dismissal sets the stage for a potential showdown at the next UN Human Rights Council session. Pro‑Israel advocates are urging Canada to join international pressure and demand Albanese’s removal.
This article is based on verified information from the U.S. Mission to the UN, The Times of Israel, UN Watch, the World Jewish Congress, and public statements from Members of Parliament.