US faces criticism over attacks on UN Palestinian rights envoy

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield is facing backlash after calling U.N. Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese “unfit for her role,” accusing her of anti-Semitism amid escalating criticisms from U.S. officials over her stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Thomas-Greenfield took to social media on Tuesday, writing, “The United Nations should not tolerate antisemitism from a UN-affiliated official hired to promote human rights.”

Albanese has been outspoken on Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, condemning what she has described as genocide and occupation. Her comments, however, have prompted sharp responses from the U.S., which has rejected her mandate and raised concerns about her views.

Albanese’s critics, including the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, quickly condemned the U.S. ambassador’s remarks.

“Your attack on U.N. Special Rapporteur Albanese is so clearly intended to hide your criminal complicity in an ongoing genocide that you truly should be embarrassed. Is there any trick from the genocidaire’s playbook that you will refuse to carry out?” the Lemkin Institute stated.

The Biden administration has not formally called for Albanese’s removal but has sharpened its language on her in recent months. Senior U.S. officials have increasingly labeled Albanese’s position as unwarranted and “unfit” for representing Palestinian issues, signaling a heightened U.S. opposition to her role as she arrives in New York for planned engagements.

Albanese’s role as a special rapporteur has drawn mixed reactions with defenders asserting her mandate is essential for Palestinian rights and critics questioning her views on Israel