The UN special rapporteur for occupied territories has warned that recognizing a Palestinian state shouldn’t divert attention from stopping mass deaths and starvation in Gaza.
“Of course recognizing Palestine is important,” Francesca Albanese told The Guardian after several countries announced plans to recognize Palestine in response to Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis. “It’s inconsistent that they haven’t done it already.”
But she argued that prolonged debates over statehood have failed to bring political progress while allowing illegal Israeli settlements to expand, making a Palestinian state nearly impossible.
“The territory has been literally consumed by annexation and colonization,” she said.
This week, Australia joined the UK, Canada, France, and others in pledging to recognize Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (no relation) called the two-state solution “humanity’s best hope to break the cycle of Middle East violence.”
However, Albanese cautioned that the push for statehood must not “distract from where attention should be: the genocide.”
She demanded an arms embargo on Israel, an end to trade deals, and accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity—charges the ICC has already brought against top Israeli officials. She also called for Israel to fully withdraw from occupied territories by the UN’s 17 September deadline.
“Ending the Palestine issue under international law is possible: stop the genocide now, end the occupation this year, and dismantle apartheid,” she said. “This will guarantee freedom and equal rights for all—whether they choose one state or two.”
Since becoming rapporteur three years ago—and especially after Israel’s war in Gaza began following Hamas’s 7 October attacks—Albanese has emerged as a leading advocate for Palestinian rights. Her reports accusing Israel of apartheid and genocide often preceded similar conclusions by major human rights groups.
Last month, the Trump administration sanctioned her for her vocal support of Palestinian rights and what U.S. officials called her “shameful promotion” of ICC actions against Israeli leaders.
Though Albanese calls herself a reluctant “chronicler of genocide,” and others see her as “the voice of global conscience,” she has faced fierce backlash—including persistent antisemitism accusations. Once, a TV interviewer’s first question was: “Are you an antisemite?”
“Antisemitism is vile,” Albanese told The Guardian in December. “But I don’t care if Israel is run by Jews, Muslims, Christians, or atheists—I just want it to follow international law.”
She described the global divide over Gaza as “the ultimate struggle” between “light and darkness,” calling U.S. sanctions against her not a show of strength “but of guilt.”
“The U.S. is full of contradictions—idealistic yet undermining democracy,” she said. “Those in power, Democrats or Republicans, have always followed this supremacist logic toward others.”Here’s a more natural and fluent rewrite of the text while preserving its original meaning:
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She accused the U.S. of betraying its democratic values and fundamental freedoms, undermining everything it claims to stand for. She also criticized UN Secretary-General António Guterres for not strongly condemning what she called an “unprecedented violation” of the privileges and immunities typically granted to UN representatives.
A spokesperson for Guterres acknowledged that the sanctions against her set a dangerous precedent but clarified that Albanese does not report to him, as her mandate comes from the UN Human Rights Council.
Albanese praised the recent Hague Group meeting—a 30-nation conference in Colombia aimed at outlining steps for UN members to support ending Israel’s occupation—as an “ethical force within the system.” She said the group operates on respect for international law and multilateralism, which she sees as essential for a functioning global community.
This contrasts with her view of the UN, which she believes is facing an “existential crisis.” She argued that the UN must decide whether to truly function as a multilateral platform. “We’ve moved beyond the colonial-era mindset that shaped the UN’s creation,” she said. “Now, with 193 member states, each has agency and deserves respect. It’s time to break free from the veto-power mentality and prioritize the General Assembly.”
Albanese noted that Israel’s 21-month war in Gaza has sparked a “profound shift” in global opinion, alongside “brutal repression.” She pointed to millions protesting against the genocide, many facing arrests and accusations of terrorism, while those accused of war crimes by the ICC are welcomed in Western countries. “This is absurd. It’s the collapse of the rule of law,” she said.
International law, she added, “isn’t just an ideal—it’s a tool to fix things. And when people use it in court, they usually win.” Despite the grim reality, she expressed optimism about growing awareness of Israel’s actions. “A new generation now speaks the language of human rights. That, in itself, is a success.”
The disconnect between world leaders and the millions protesting for Palestinians led her latest report to focus not on Israel but on corporations she says are “profiting from genocide.” “The occupation is profitable, and so is the genocide. This must be exposed to stop it,” she said. “Power doesn’t just lie with governments—it’s with us. We can make a difference through our choices, including where we spend our money.”
As for Palestinians, despite their immense suffering and rising death toll, Albanese said they’ve “already won the legitimacy battle.” “The world knows what Israel has done to them for 77 years,” she said. “They’ve made history—not through violence, as some claim, but through resilience, principles, and faith in a justice system that has failed them.”
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This version keeps the original meaning while improving flow, simplifying complex phrasing, and making it more natural to read. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!
FAQS
### **FAQs: Recognizing Palestinian Statehood & the Gaza Death Toll**
#### **Basic Questions**
**1. What does recognizing Palestinian statehood mean?**
Recognizing Palestinian statehood means formally acknowledging Palestine as an independent country, often through diplomatic statements or UN membership.
**2. Why is a UN expert warning about this recognition?**
The expert warns that while statehood recognition is important, it shouldn’t distract from the urgent need to stop the high number of civilian deaths in Gaza.
**3. What’s happening in Gaza right now?**
Gaza is experiencing severe violence, with a high civilian death toll due to military attacks, blockades, and humanitarian crises.
**4. How does recognizing Palestine help or hurt the situation?**
It could strengthen Palestine’s political standing but may not immediately stop violence in Gaza if international pressure isn’t also applied to end the conflict.
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#### **Intermediate Questions**
**5. Who is the UN expert making this warning?**
The warning comes from a UN special rapporteur or human rights expert focused on Palestinian issues.
**6. What’s the connection between statehood recognition and Gaza’s crisis?**
While recognition is a long-term political goal, Gaza’s crisis needs immediate humanitarian and ceasefire efforts—focusing only on statehood could delay urgent action.
**7. Which countries recognize Palestine as a state?**
Over 130 countries recognize Palestine, but key nations like the U.S. and some EU members do not.
**8. Can the UN force a ceasefire in Gaza?**
The UN can push for ceasefires through resolutions, but enforcement depends on member states, especially the UN Security Council.
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#### **Advanced Questions**
**9. How does statehood recognition affect peace negotiations?**
It could shift negotiations by giving Palestine more leverage, but without addressing Gaza’s violence, talks may remain stalled.
**10. What are the arguments for and against recognizing Palestine now?**
**For:** Strengthens Palestinian sovereignty, pressures Israel.
**Against:** May be seen as symbolic without solving Gaza’s crisis or Israel’s security concerns.
**11. What role does the U.S. play in this issue?**
The U.S. has veto power in the UN Security Council and historically supports Israel, making recognition harder without its approval.
**12. What practical
