Ex-Diplomats Urge France To Retract UN Criticism

Paris: (Web Desk) – More than 150 former European diplomats and lawmakers have urged Jean-Noel Barrot to retract his remarks calling for the resignation of Francesca Albanese, the UN expert on Palestinian rights.

France and Germany had earlier demanded Albanese step down following her comments at a forum in Doha on February 7, where she referred to a “common enemy of humanity” while criticizing the international community and media for enabling Israel’s actions in Gaza. Critics interpreted her remarks as labeling Israel a “common enemy,” which Albanese denied as “manipulation” and “completely false.”

In response, French Foreign Minister Barrot told parliament on February 11 that she should resign. In an open letter sent to AFP, former diplomats argued that his statements relied on “inaccurate and manipulated elements to discredit a holder of an independent UN mandate.” They called on him to “retract his inaccurate statements about Ms Albanese and correct them.”

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The letter emphasized that the controversy should not distract from the ongoing humanitarian crisis and human rights violations in Gaza. Signatories included former foreign ministers and diplomats from across Europe—particularly the Netherlands—as well as more than a dozen current members of European parliaments, senators, and a former South African foreign minister.

During her Doha forum remarks, Albanese highlighted that “most of the world has armed, given Israel political excuses, political sheltering, economic and financial support,” calling it “a challenge.” She also warned that “international law has been stabbed in the heart,” but stressed a shared responsibility to confront global injustices, saying humanity now faces a “common enemy.”