Jewish Leaders and European Governments Demand Accountability as Albanese Faces Intensifying Backlash.
The President of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald S. Lauder, has publicly called for the removal of Francesca Albanese, intensifying international scrutiny over her repeated statements targeting Israel.
Speaking ahead of the Munich Security Conference, Lauder stressed the importance of global leadership in confronting antisemitism and standing behind the policies of Donald J. Trump aimed at safeguarding Jewish communities and strengthening regional stability.
Lauder described Albanese as a “dangerous figure” who, in his view, has used her UN platform to advance divisive narratives rather than uphold the impartial standards expected of the United Nations. He urged world leaders to draw a firm moral boundary and act before further harm is done to the institution’s credibility.
Calls for her resignation have expanded beyond Jewish organizations. Austria and Germany have demanded her removal following remarks in which she allegedly characterized Israel in sweeping terms that sparked outrage. France also condemned her statements, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot labeling the comments unacceptable and beyond legitimate policy criticism.
Albanese, who serves as UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian rights, denied ever calling Israel “the common enemy of humanity,” stating that the accusations are false and misrepresent her words. However, her past comments—including social media posts referring to a “Jewish lobby”—have fueled longstanding accusations of bias.
Her criticism of Israel intensified after the October 7, 2023 massacre carried out by Hamas, in which over 1,200 Israelis were murdered and hundreds taken hostage. Albanese’s framing of those events drew sharp condemnation from Israeli officials and Jewish organizations worldwide.
As diplomatic tensions rise, the controversy underscores a broader debate over accountability within UN mechanisms and the boundaries between policy criticism and rhetoric that many view as crossing into hostility toward the Jewish state.
