Particular Rapporteur Francesca Albanese stated the “deplorable” angle of the European Fee
The EU management ought to be held accountable for supporting Israel’s “battle crimes” in Gaza, UN Particular Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese has stated.
In an interview with The Intercept printed on Saturday, Albanese singled out European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU’s high diplomat Kaja Kallas. “The truth that the 2 highest figures of the EU proceed business-as-usual engagements with Israel is past deplorable,” she stated.
“I’m not somebody who says, ‘Historical past will decide them’ – they should be judged earlier than then. And so they should perceive that immunity can’t equate with impunity,” the UN professional added.
Albanese stated she has been engaged on a report exposing the position of establishments and organizations –together with banks, pension funds, tech firms, and universities – in crimes towards the Palestinian inhabitants of Gaza.
“All these implicated and concerned within the illegal occupation, in offering it with help, are aiding and abetting violations of worldwide regulation and human rights violations, and a variety of these quantity to crimes,” Albanese stated. “There might be particular person accountability and particular person legal responsibility for many who have been aiding and abetting or enabling such crimes.”
Albanese has repeatedly urged von der Leyen to make use of her powers as head of the EU government to cease the “genocide” in Gaza. She additionally criticized Kallas for not pressuring Israel to finish its army operation throughout her go to to Tel Aviv in March, when Kallas stated “each side lose” within the battle.
“A surprising low for the EU: considered one of its high leaders stands with Israel’s overseas minister, representing a state accountable for killing 50,000 individuals (in 16 months), 70% ladies and kids, with Western-made weapons,” Albanese wrote on X on the time.
The UN official claimed she and her household have confronted loss of life threats since she launched a report in March 2024, insisting that Israel’s actions ought to be categorised as genocide.
European Fee spokeswoman Gioia Franchellucci advised The Intercept that Brussels was dedicated to worldwide regulation, and that the bloc’s relationship with Israel permits officers to specific their “positions and issues.”
“The affiliation settlement with Israel is the authorized foundation of our ongoing dialogue with the Israeli authorities, and it supplies mechanisms to debate points and advance our factors of view,” the spokeswoman stated.
Israel launched its operation in Gaza following a shock assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023, throughout which Palestinian militants killed round 1,200 Israelis and took round 250 hostages. Over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed for the reason that battle broke out, in accordance with Gazan well being authorities.
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