The United Nations Human Rights Council’s session in Geneva was marked by controversy as pro-Israel speakers were interrupted and scolded while those speaking against Israel were allowed to make accusations of genocide. U.N. Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer was interrupted twice while speaking out against United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, and was ultimately barred from delivering his full remarks. The Permanent Observer Representative of the State of Palestine to the U.N. accused Neuer of being affiliated with the Mossad, a claim that went unchallenged by officials running the session, who complained about disrespectful language.
Neuer called the incident censorship in its rawest form and described it as a day of shame for the United Nations. He was not the only pro-Israel speaker reprimanded for their language, as Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust Director Anne Bayefsky was also scolded. Albania, who was appointed as special rapporteur in 2022, has faced accusations of antisemitism and has been condemned by multiple governments. Neuer sent an official letter to Human Rights Council President Jürg Lauber urging him not to reappoint Albanese, accusing her of routinely violating the Code of Conduct.
Albanese’s response to French President Emmanuel Macron calling the October 7 attacks the largest antisemitic massacre of the century sparked backlash from France, the US, and Germany. In February 2024, Albanese said that those killed on October 7 were murdered in response to Israel’s oppression, not because they were Jewish. The French Mission to the U.N. and the German Mission backed France’s condemnation of Albanese’s statements, calling them appalling and a disgrace. The U.S. ambassador to the UNHRC at the time, Michèle Taylor, condemned Albanese’s statements as antisemitic.
Neuer cited precedent for bringing a complaint against a U.N. official in the council session, but was shut down by Khraishi, who objected to Neuer’s remarks. U.N. officials running the session moved to proceed to the next speaker rather than allow Neuer to conclude. Neuer emphasized that the truth will not be silenced despite his own censorship, and called on all democracies to speak out against Francesca Albanese’s alleged antisemitism. The incident at the UNHRC session highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and accusations of antisemitism within UN ranks.
The dispute at the UNHRC session underscores the challenges faced by organizations and individuals seeking to address human rights abuses and allegations of antisemitism within the United Nations. The treatment of pro-Israel speakers compared to those speaking against Israel raises concerns about bias within the organization and the ability to freely express dissenting opinions. The incident also sheds light on the geopolitical dynamics and power struggles that continue to play out within the UN system, impacting the ability to hold officials accountable for alleged violations of human rights standards. As the UNHRC continues to grapple with these issues, calls for transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights principles remain essential to upholding the credibility and integrity of the United Nations.
