UN expert on Palestinian territories denounces ‘toxic’ attacks against her

The U.N. expert on the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, denounced on Thursday what she described as "toxic" attacks impacting her personal life and work, after a number of European states called for her resignation.



In recent weeks Germany, France, Italy and others have called for Albanese to step down over her criticism of Israel. Albanese, an Italian lawyer, said the remarks were taken out of context and misconstrued.



"I can tell you how toxic and personally damaging for me and for my family these past days, weeks and months have been," Albanese, Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, told reporters via video link from Jordan.



A letter seen by Reuters, sent by the permanent mission of Israel in Geneva to the Council's president on February 15, stated that she had flagrantly violated the U.N.'s code of conduct.



"As long as she holds a U.N. mandate, she fundamentally undermines the credibility and moral authority of the United Nations," the letter stated, adding that Albanese had repeatedly shared antisemitic tropes - allegations that Albanese has previously denied.