[EUROPE] Anti-antisemitism activists protested outside London colleges against the UN special rapporteur's visit to the occupied Palestinian territory.
On Monday, Francesca Albanese, an international lawyer who specializes in human rights and the Middle East, attended an event at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
The event, which drew significant attention from both supporters and critics, highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Albanese's visit comes at a time when global attention is focused on the region, with recent escalations in violence prompting renewed calls for international intervention and diplomatic efforts to broker peace.
She recently issued a study in which she claimed that Israel was conducting "genocide" in Gaza, rather than merely war crimes or crimes against humanity, and urged that Israel's membership in the UN be suspended.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, condemned her in a tweet as unsuitable for duty, saying, "The United Nations should not tolerate antisemitism from a UN-affiliated official hired to promote human rights."
The controversy surrounding Albanese's statements has reignited debates about the role of UN officials in addressing complex geopolitical issues. Critics argue that her comments overstep the boundaries of her mandate, while supporters maintain that her assessments are crucial for understanding the gravity of the situation in Gaza.
Albanese stated that she was correct to insist on the term "genocide," noting that "Palestinians had experienced war crimes their entire lives, but this was different." It is critical to understand why this is classified as a genocide.
"In the same way as the international community has failed to protect the victims of genocide in the case of the Jewish people in Europe and then Bosnians in former Yugoslavia and the Tutsi in Rwanda, in the same way we are failing the Palestinians."
She acknowledged that identifying a genocide is difficult owing to the necessity to prove purpose, but she said Israel's objective was to destroy Palestinian life.
The use of the term "genocide" has sparked intense debate among legal experts and human rights advocates. Some argue that it accurately describes the scale and intent of the actions in Gaza, while others caution against its use, citing the specific legal definitions and implications of such a designation. This disagreement underscores the complexities of applying international law to ongoing conflicts.
Protesters from the Campaign Against Antisemitism gathered outside the LSE on Monday, when Albanese participated in "a conversation about international law and Palestine" organized by the student union's Grimshaw Club for International Relations.
Social media posts showed hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the university building in central London, armed with "Ban Fran" placards and the statement "Ms Albanese is not welcome at British universities".
The protests have raised questions about the balance between freedom of speech and the responsibility of academic institutions to provide a platform for diverse viewpoints. Some argue that universities should remain open to all perspectives, even controversial ones, while others contend that certain views can create an unsafe environment for students, particularly those from marginalized communities.
More demonstrations were planned outside Soas University in London, where Albanese was speaking later on Monday. A demonstration outside Queen Mary University of London, where Albanese was scheduled to speak on Tuesday, was canceled.
A representative for the Campaign Against Antisemitism stated, "Our planned protest tomorrow will not take place due to threats from local residents' groups to engage in 'Amsterdam-style' violence."
"We prioritize the safety of our team and fans. We are taking legal action against specific individuals who made threats." Dozens of individuals were detained following violent attacks on a football match between Amsterdam's Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv last week.
A representative for Soas University of London stated, "Freedom of expression and academic freedom are fundamental to our existence." We oppose some political parties' growing trend of demanding that speakers with whom they disagree be barred from speaking. We would only intervene to prohibit speech that violates the law or promotes hatred or violence.
An LSE representative stated, "The LSE is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture of equity, diversity, and individual respect. Antisemitism and other forms of bigotry are totally wrong.
"Free speech and freedom of expression are fundamental to all we do at LSE. Students, faculty, and visitors are actively encouraged to discuss and debate the world's most serious topics, but this must be done in a mutually respectful manner."
The controversy surrounding Albanese's visit has also drawn attention to the broader issue of diplomatic immunity for UN officials. While such immunity is designed to protect officials from interference in their duties, some argue that it should not shield them from criticism or protest. This debate reflects the ongoing tension between national sovereignty and international oversight in matters of human rights and global governance.
The Union of Jewish Students did not reply to calls for comment, but has previously informed the Jewish Chronicle that Albanese's presence at London colleges highlights the "increasingly belligerent environment" on British campuses.
"We ask colleges to think about the implications of hosting Ms Albanese and the message it sends to Jewish students and allies who are deeply touched by these words. The UJS welfare hotline remains accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any Jewish students who are concerned or affected."
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