UN rapporteur: What’s happening in Palestine exceeds genocide, urgent protection needed for Palestinians

RAMALLAH: Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Palestine, has condemned Israel's atrocities, asserting that they aim to eradicate the Palestinian population through ongoing violence and killings. "What is happening in Palestine is beyond description and exceeds genocide," she stated in an interview with Palestine TV. Albanese emphasized the urgent need for UN member states to take responsibility for the protection of Palestinians and to halt the ongoing Israeli atrocities being committed against them. She warned of the potential worsening of the situation if all parties fail to address the crisis in the occupied territories. "The international community must compel countries to respect international law and implement its resolutions," she asserted, pointing out that there has been a failure to uphold these principles, particularly as Western nations often overlook the crimes perpetrated by Israel against Palestinians. She noted that the Palestinian issue has return ed to the forefront of international attention, with a noticeable increase in support for Palestinian rights. Albanese highlighted that many European political parties have lost elections due to their lack of support for ending the genocide in Gaza. Additionally, she drew attention to the systematic violations and harsh conditions faced by Palestinian prisoners, calling for serious international intervention. "The international community must not violate human rights," she stated, reinforcing the need for protection for the Palestinian people as they continue their struggle against the Israeli apartheid regime. Albanese called for an end to the double standards in the application of international law and advocated for collective action to achieve justice and peace in the region by dismantling the apartheid system and ensuring Palestinians obtain their legitimate rights. She commended the achievements of Palestinian diplomacy on international platforms, describing it as unprecedented in raising awareness of the Palestinian cause. "These accomplishments are significant and instill pride in Palestinians and all who support their just struggle," she said. Albanese also warned of the deteriorating situation in Jerusalem, where the occupying government is violating the legitimate rights of Palestinians, including their full right to practice their religious rituals freely. She recounted her attempts to enter Palestine multiple times for her work, emphasizing that Israel has no right to prevent her access to the territory, as such actions violate international law. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA