‘Humanity now has a common enemy:’ UN Special Rapporteur Albanese condemns Israel at Al Jazeera forum

Albanese criticized countries that maintain diplomatic and defense ties with Israel and argued that Western media coverage had contributed to a “genocidal narrative.”

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

“Humanity now has a common enemy,” UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese said Saturday night at the Al Jazeera Forum as she delivered remarks condemning Israel during a panel focused on the Palestinian issue.

Appearing by video link, Albanese took part in a session alongside Hamas figure Khaled Mashaal and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi titled “The Palestinian Cause in a World Moving Toward Multipolarity.”

She criticized countries that maintain diplomatic and defense ties with Israel and argued that Western media coverage had contributed to what she described as a “genocidal narrative.”

“The fact that most of the media in the Western world has been amplifying … the genocidal narrative is a challenge. But at the same time, here also lies the opportunity,” she said.

“Because if international law has been stabbed in the heart, it is also true that never before has the global community seen the challenges that we all face.” She added, “We need to stand up, we need to do the right thing.”

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, condemned her participation in a post on X, calling it a “profound failure.”

He wrote that Albanese had used her UN role “to echo terrorist propaganda and antisemitism,” and objected to her appearance alongside Mashaal.

Israel’s ambassador to the European Union, Avi Nir-Feldklein, also criticized the event, addressing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres over the participation of a UN official at the forum.

Araghchi centered his remarks on what he called “the profound question of our region: Palestine,” accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and calling for sanctions, an arms embargo, and an end to security cooperation.

In a separate Al Jazeera interview excerpt, Araghchi said, “Uranium enrichment is our inalienable right and must continue. Even with bombing, they could not destroy our capabilities. We are ready to reach a reassuring agreement on enrichment.” He added, “Iran’s sovereign position is opposition to transferring uranium abroad. The Iranian nuclear case will only be resolved through negotiations.”