UN Human Rights Council Stifles Criticism of Official Accused of Antisemitism

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) experienced significant controversy during its session in Geneva on Wednesday. Pro-Israel speakers faced interruptions and reprimands, while criticisms directed at Israel were voiced without obstruction.

Notably, Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of U.N. Watch, found his remarks against Francesca Albanese, the U.N. Special Rapporteur whose term is up for renewal, interrupted on two occasions. Ultimately, this led to Neuer being prevented from delivering his full statement.

Interruptions and Accusations

The Permanent Observer Representative of the State of Palestine to the U.N., Ibrahim Khraishi, was the first to interrupt Neuer. Khraishi labeled Neuer’s speech as a violation of protocol, alleging that he had ties to Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency. This accusation went unchallenged by the session’s moderators, who repeatedly emphasized concerns about what they termed “disrespectful language.”

A Day of Censorship

Neuer characterized the incident as blatant censorship, declaring it “a day of shame for the United Nations” in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

In his remarks, Neuer questioned what constitutes greater disrespect: sharing the condemnation of Albanese by democratic nations or allowing a U.N.-accredited delegate to accuse a human rights defender of being an operative of Mossad.

After the initial interruption, Neuer referenced past instances where complaints against U.N. officials were successfully brought forward. However, Khraishi objected once again, prompting the session’s official to move on to the next speaker rather than allowing Neuer to conclude his argument.

Call for Accountability

Despite being silenced, Neuer remained resolute, stating that the truth would eventually prevail. He highlighted that countries like France, Germany, Canada, the U.S., and the Netherlands have condemned Albanese for antisemitism and declared her unfit for the position. Neuer encouraged all democracies to raise their voices, as silence equates to complicity.

Other Pro-Israel Speakers Face Scrutiny

Neuer was not alone in experiencing reprimands during the session. Anne Bayefsky, Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, was also criticized after a video of her presentation was shown. U.N. officials deemed her remarks excessively disrespectful and beyond acceptable standards.

Bayefsky voiced concerns regarding the U.N.’s reluctance to define terrorism or hold specific groups accountable. She pointed out that figures like Albanese and Navi Pillay remained immune from criticism despite their alleged wrongdoings.

Allegations Against Francesca Albanese

Francesca Albanese, appointed special rapporteur in 2022, has faced significant backlash from multiple governments due to remarks perceived as antisemitic. According to the Anti-Defamation League, she responded approvingly to a Hamas-organized conference in Gaza, stating that individuals have the right to resist occupation.

Formal Request for Albanese’s Non-Reappointment

On the same day, Neuer sent an official communication to U.N. Human Rights Council President Jürg Lauber, requesting that Albanese not be reappointed. In his letter, Neuer accused her of numerous, serious violations of the U.N. Code of Conduct.

Neuer warned that failing to address these concerns would undermine the credibility of the UNHRC and imply an unacceptable tolerance for antisemitism.

Controversial Remarks Spark Backlash

Albanese’s remarks escalating tensions with countries such as France, the U.S., and Germany followed her comments regarding the October 7 attacks, which she referred to as resulting from Israeli oppression rather than specifically targeting Jewish individuals.

France’s mission to the U.N. vocally condemned Albanese’s comments, emphasizing that to deny the antisemitic nature of the attacks is incorrect. The statement further highlighted the outrage towards any justification provided in the name of the U.N.

Support from Germany and the U.S.

The German mission showed solidarity with France’s condemnation of Albanese, reiterating that justifications for the attacks were disgraceful when expressed in a U.N. context. Michèle Taylor, then U.S. ambassador to UNHRC, emphasized that Albanese’s comments reflected antisemitic sentiments.

The Ongoing Debate

In the aftermath of the session, Fox News Digital reached out to the Palestinian Mission to the U.N. regarding Khraishi’s claims against Neuer but has not received any response. The events illustrate the ongoing tensions within the UNHRC and the complexities surrounding discussions of antisemitism and human rights.

The implications of this incident extend beyond the immediate reactions observed at the session, highlighting the enduring challenges faced within the U.N. when addressing issues of antisemitism, censorship, and human rights.