'Israel' bars UN Special Rapporteur over recent comments
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Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories, accuses 'Israel' of perpetuating a Nakba.
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An undated image of the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese speaking (United Nations)
Israeli Kan correspondent reported that Israeli Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, along with Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, have announced that Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories, "will not be allowed to enter Israel or the Palestinian territories after recent comment."
Albanese had made comments a few hours prior making reference to the importance of addressing the crimes of Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank, especially regarding "the apparent extra judicial killings by ISR forces disguised as medical staff" inside Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin.
While #Gaza demands full attention, UN experts raise grave concerns about the ongoing violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.#Jenin remains a hotspot of int'l crimes. So are the apparent #ExtrajudicialKillings by ISR forces disguised as medical staff. This is #perfidy. https://t.co/rueEkr9n2h
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) February 12, 2024
Soon after, highlighting the situation in Gaza, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories said, "The present is painfully revealing," adding "I refuse to be intimidated by those complicit in the perpetuation of the Nakba –forced displacement, killing & grave harm aimed at preventing return. Denial won't erase the tragedy, as history repeats with even greater ferocity."
Thank you Craig. The present is painfully revealing. I refuse to be intimidated by those complicit in the perpetuation of the #Nakba –forced displacement, killing & grave harm aimed at preventing return.Denial won't erase the tragedy,as history repeats with even greater ferocity. https://t.co/A9MqqJm8O5
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) February 12, 2024
Commenting on the Israeli decision, Albanese said that "Israel's" denial of entry to the UN Special Rapporteur is not surprising and is nothing new, given its history of barring such officials since 2008. However, she stressed that "this must not become a distraction from Israel's atrocities in Gaza, which are taking a new level of horror with the bombing of people in 'safe areas' in Rafah."
BREAKING: Israel's "denying me entry" is not news: Israel has denied entry to ALL Special Rapporteurs/oPt since 2008!
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) February 12, 2024
This must not become a distraction from Israel's atrocities in Gaza, which are taking a new level of horror with the bombing of people in 'safe areas' in #Rafah.
'Israel' not abiding by ICJ orders of avoiding genocide: UN official
A couple of days prior, Albanese had declared that "Israel" was violating orders issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to immediately protect Palestinians’ rights and cease all activities amounting to genocide.
"Israel" has until February 23 to hand over a report to the ICJ regarding its compliance with the six orders issued.
"Israel" is required to “take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza, after proof was found of “discernibly genocidal and dehumanizing rhetoric coming from senior Israeli government officials."
The ICJ orders also obliged it to “take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance."
"Israel" was also ordered to prevent the killing of Palestinians, causing serious bodily or mental harm, inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, and imposing measures intended to prevent births - all within the context of the Genocide Convention.
However, some lawyers see that the aforementioned crimes are not forbidden as long as the occupation conducts them without genocidal intent, and "Israel" stated its belief that the court will not test in full. Albanese, however, said otherwise.
Despite the court ruling, Albanese stated that the vicious violence and demolition of residential infrastructure have not ceased.
Read more: Resistance justified: Unmasking deceptive neutrality
