Susan G. Shumsky

Francesca Albanese, born in 1977, is an Italian legal scholar specializing in human rights. She has held the position of United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories since May 2022, becoming the first woman to do so. Her tenure has been marked by significant criticism of Israel's occupation and its actions in Gaza. Albanese has reported to the UN Human Rights Council that Israel's conduct in Gaza amounts to genocide and has called for plans to end the occupation and apartheid. Her assessments have drawn accusations of antisemitism and bias from pro-Israel groups and governments, though human rights organizations and scholars of antisemitism have defended her work as legitimate criticism.

Albanese's academic background includes a law degree from the University of Pisa and a Master of Laws in human rights from SOAS University of London. Before her UN role, she worked for a decade as a human rights expert for various UN bodies and advised governments and civil society on human rights issues, particularly concerning refugees and migrants. She has also co-founded the Global Network on the Question of Palestine and co-authored "Palestinian Refugees in International Law."

Francesca Albanese is an Italian legal scholar with a focus on human rights. She has served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories since May 2022. In this capacity, she has been a vocal critic of Israel's occupation and its policies. Her reports have detailed alleged violations, including accusations of apartheid and genocide in Gaza. Albanese was the first woman appointed to this position and has been confirmed for an extended term. Her work has led to significant international debate, with some governments and organizations accusing her of bias while others defend her findings as crucial human rights analysis.

Albanese holds a law degree with honors from the University of Pisa and a Master of Laws in human rights from SOAS University of London. Her career prior to her UN appointment included a decade working as a human rights expert for UN agencies, such as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees. She has advised governments and civil society across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia Pacific on human rights matters, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations like refugees and migrants. She has also been an affiliate scholar at Georgetown University and is a senior advisor at the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development.

In her role as Special Rapporteur, Albanese has issued several impactful reports. One early recommendation called for UN member states to develop a plan to end the Israeli occupation and apartheid. Following the Gaza war in 2023, she warned of the risk of ethnic cleansing and urged international action to prevent atrocity crimes. In March 2024, she presented a report to the UN Human Rights Council stating there were reasonable grounds to believe Israel was committing genocidal acts in Gaza. These pronouncements have led to strong reactions, including accusations of antisemitism from pro-Israel groups and governments, and a declaration of persona non grata by Israel. Albanese has consistently maintained that her criticisms are directed at the occupation and not at Jewish people.

“The violations described in the present report expose the nature of the Israeli occupation, that of an intentionally acquisitive, segregationist and repressive regime designed to prevent the realization of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.”

“There is no other way to define the regime that Israel has imposed on the Palestinians – which is apartheid by default – other than an open-air prison.”

“Palestinians are in grave danger of a mass ethnic cleansing.”

“The victims of the October 7 massacre were killed not because of their Judaism, but in response to Israeli oppression”

“I regret that some interpreted my tweet as 'justifying' Hamas's crimes, which I have condemned strongly several times. I reject all forms of racism, including antisemitism. However, labeling these crimes as 'antisemitic' obscures the real reason they occurred.”