NEW YORK CITY: A UN human rights expert on Thursday described Israel’s ban preventing her from entering the country as “a distraction from atrocities being committed in Gaza.”
Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, said the ban must not be allowed to divert attention from the current situation in the territory, where about 30,000 Palestinians have been killed during five months of relentless Israeli bombardment.
Albanese was already banned from entering Israel in the same way all her predecessors in the UN role have been since 2008. However, Israeli authorities explicitly stated this week that her ban is now official, in what some observers viewed as an escalation of Israel’s campaign against elements within the UN it alleges are sympathetic to Hamas.
It is happening as Rafah, which is Gaza’s southernmost city and has become the last refuge for more than a million Palestinians displaced from other parts of the territory, has come under heavy fire from Israeli airstrikes in recent days. At least 95 people have been killed there, including 42 children, according to Amnesty International.
On Thursday, Israel raided Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, also in southern Gaza, which is the largest still-functioning hospital in the territory. They alleged that Hamas militants were hiding in the facility and holding hostages, and the bodies of hostages, there. Hamas dismissed the allegation as “lies.”
The raid forced displaced people and the families of medical staff who were sheltering in the hospital to flee, with more than 2,000 arriving in Rafah overnight and others pushing north toward central Gaza.
Albanese, an Italian lawyer, described the “official ban” on entering Israel as “symbolic and misleading,” noting that in 2008 Israeli authorities detained and deported her predecessor, Richard Falk, and since then all of those appointed to the role have been denied permission to enter the country.
“Israel’s announcement must not serve as a diversion from the situation in Gaza, (where) in just over four months the Israeli army has killed over 28,500 Palestinians in Gaza, 70 percent of them women and children, while some 10,000 people are missing, presumed dead under the rubble,” she said.
“Nearly 70,000 are injured, many maimed for life, and some 1.7 million people — 75 percent of the population — have been displaced, while the entire civilian population is at risk of starvation.
“Daily, relentless massacres, the latest ones inflicted in the nonexistent ‘safe zones’ in Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinians are struggling to survive, are being committed in flagrant defiance of the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice.”
In a ruling last month, the ICJ ordered six provisional measures, including obligations on Israeli authorities to refrain from actions contrary to the Genocide Convention, to prevent and punish direct and public incitement to genocide, and to take immediate action to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in Gaza.
The official ban on Albanese was imposed in response to comments she made on Feb. 10 that Israel alleges amounted to justification of the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7.
Her comments came after French President Emmanuel Macron described the events of Oct. 7 as “the greatest antisemitic massacre of our century.”
In a message posted on social networking platform X, she wrote: “The ‘greatest antisemitic massacre of our century?’ No, (Mr. Macron), the victims of 7/10 were not killed because of their Judaism, but in response to Israel’s oppression. France and the international community did nothing to prevent it. My respects to the victims.”
In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to fire Albanese.
“If the UN wants to return to being a relevant body, its leaders must publicly disavow the antisemitic words of the ‘special envoy,’” he said.
Albanese said: “Israel claims that the ban follows my comments concerning the context in which Hamas’ attacks on Oct. 7 took place.
“I have strongly and consistently condemned these heinous attacks as war crimes which cannot be justified in any way, and for the fear and distress they have spread among Israelis. I continue to express my sorrow and solidarity with the victims, including the hostages still held captive, and with Jewish communities worldwide. I also call for accountability for these crimes.
“While my condemnation of the attacks is unequivocal, I also felt compelled to challenge a persistent misinterpretation of the root causes of the Oct. 7 attacks, particularly in Western countries: that the attacks were primarily motivated by antisemitism. As prominent Holocaust and antisemitism scholars have warned, this assumption is both false and dangerous as it evades the critical underpinnings of the conflict and disavows the role of Israel in fueling it.
“These scholars have recently argued that ‘appealing to the memory of the Holocaust obscures our understanding of the antisemitism Jews face today, and dangerously misrepresents the causes of violence in Israel-Palestine.’ So, while antisemitism could have played a role in the attacks at an individual level for some, their main determinants are to be found elsewhere.”
Albanese added that in keeping with her UN mandate she tried to establish formal relations with Israel that would enable her to fulfill her role but Israel responded with “hostility and slander that is often amplified by politically aligned organizations and media.”
She accused the Israeli government of consistently undermining those who promote the rule of law and defenders of human rights, including the UN secretary-general, the Human Rights Council, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the near East, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the International Court of Justice.
“Although a long and challenging endeavor, respecting international law and ending the system of apartheid that Israel imposes on the Palestinians is the only way to achieve lasting peace, human security and regional stability — for no one can be safe until everyone is safe,” Albanese added.
Special rapporteurs are part of what is known as the special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council. They are independent experts who work on a voluntary basis, are not members of UN staff and are not paid for their work.
UN human rights expert says ban on her entering Israel must not distract from atrocities in Gaza
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UN human rights expert says ban on her entering Israel must not distract from atrocities in Gaza

- Ending the apartheid inflicted on Palestinians is only way to achieve lasting peace, security and regional stability, says special rapporteur Francesca Albanese
- Israel has prevented special rapporteurs appointed by UN Human Rights Council to focus on Palestinian human rights issues from entering the country since since 2008
European, Iranian FMs to hold nuclear talks on Friday in Geneva

BRUSSELS, Belgium: Foreign ministers from Britain, France and Germany together with the EU’s top diplomat will hold nuclear talks with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva on Friday, officials and diplomats said.
The meeting comes as European countries call for de-escalation in the face of Israel’s bombing campaign against Iran’s nuclear program — and as US President Donald Trump weighs up whether or not to join the strikes against Tehran.
“We will meet with the European delegation in Geneva on Friday,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement carried by state news agency IRNA.
European diplomats separately confirmed the planned talks, set to involve French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, as well as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
Lammy was in Washington on Thursday, where he was due to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for talks focused on Iran, the State Department said.
Trump has said he is weighing up military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities as Israel pummels the country and Tehran responds with missile fire.
Israel has killed several top Iranian officials in its strikes and Araghchi’s adviser said that the minister was unfazed by fears he may be targeted next.
“Since it was announced that the Foreign Minister was heading to Geneva for negotiations with the European troika, I’ve received numerous messages expressing concern that the Zionist regime might target him,” Mohammad Hossein Ranjbaran said on X.
But he insisted that Araghchi “seeks martyrdom” and that “a major Israeli plot against him” had already been foiled “in Tehran just a few days ago.”
France, Germany, Britain and the European Union were all signatories of the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran which Trump sunk during his first term in office.
The EU’s Kallas, in coordination with European countries, has insisted that diplomacy remains the best path toward ensuring that Iran does not develop a nuclear bomb.
On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that European nations were planning to suggest a negotiated solution to end the Iran-Israel conflict. He has asked his foreign minister to draw up an initiative with “close partners” to that end.
Barrot has been in regular touch with his German and British counterparts since Israel launched massive air strikes against Iran on Friday.
Speaking in Paris after talks on the crisis on Thursday, Barrot said that the three nations “stand ready to bring our competence and experience on this matter.”
“We are ready to take part in negotiations aimed at obtaining from Iran a lasting rollback of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs,” he added.
The French top diplomat also underlined Iran’s “willingness to resume talks,” including with the United States “on condition there is a ceasefire.”
Israel says its air campaign is aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Iran had been enriching uranium to 60 percent — far above the 3.67-percent limit set by a 2015 deal with international powers, but still short of the 90-percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead. Iran denies it is building nuclear weapons.
Israel says Iran fired cluster bomb-bearing missile

- Israeli military officials provided no further details
Iran fired at least one missile at Israel that scattered small bombs with the aim of increasing civilian casualties, the Israeli military said on Thursday, the first reported use of cluster munitions in the seven-day-old war.
Israeli military officials provided no further details.
Israeli news reports quoted the Israeli military as saying the missile’s warhead split open at an altitude of about 4 miles and released around 20 submunitions in a radius of around 5 miles over central Israel.
One of the small munitions struck a home in the central Israeli town of Azor, causing some damage, Times of Israel military correspondent Emanuel Fabian reported. There were no reports of casualties from the bomb.
Cluster bombs are controversial because they indiscriminately scatter submunitions, some of which can fail to explode and kill or injure long after a conflict ends.
The Israeli military released a graphic as a public warning of the dangers of unexploded ordnance.
“The terror regime seeks to harm civilians and even used weapons with wide dispersal in order to maximize the scope of the damage,” Israel’s military spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, told a briefing.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations and Israel’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“They are egregious weapons with their wide-area destruction, especially if used in a civilian populated area and could add to the unexploded ordnance left over from conflicts,” said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association advocacy group.
Noting that Iranian missiles can be imprecise, he said that Tehran should know that cluster munitions “are going to hit civilian targets rather than military targets.”
Iran and Israel declined to join a 2008 international ban on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of cluster bombs that has been signed by 111 countries and 12 other entities. After extensive debate, the US in 2023 supplied Ukraine with cluster munitions for use against Russian occupation forces. Kyiv says Russian troops also have fired them. The three countries declined to join the Convention Against Cluster Munitions.
UK and Bahrain sign defense pact and £2bn investment deal

- The agreements were signed during an official visit to London by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad, who held talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street
- The leaders express concern about the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, and repeat prior calls for an immediate ceasefire agreement in Gaza
LONDON: Bahrain and the UK finalized two major agreements on Thursday during an official trip to London by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.
During a visit to No. 10 Downing Street for talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the prince and his host oversaw the signing of a Strategic Investment and Collaboration Partnership, SIP2 for short, said to represent a renewed framework for two-way investment between their countries.
The agreement will enable £2 billion ($2.7 billion) of investment by Bahrain’s private sector in key UK sectors including financial services, technology, manufacturing and decarbonization, officials said. It was signed by Bahrain’s finance minister, Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, and the British chancellor of the exchequer, Rachel Reeves.
The second deal was a Defense Cooperation Accord which, according to officials, aims to enhance interoperability and joint training between the nations’ armed forces, building on the foundations of an already strong naval partnership. It was signed by defense ministers, Lt. Gen. Abdullah Al-Nuaimi and John Healey.
During his discussions with Starmer, Prince Salman reaffirmed the strength of relations between their countries, which he said continues to grow under the leaderships of King Hamad and King Charles, the Bahrain News Agency reported.
The leaders reviewed progress on a proposed UK-Gulf Cooperation Council free trade agreement, and the crown prince welcomed the UK’s decision to fully participate in the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement, following a joint invitation in December from founding signatories Bahrain and the US.
Regional and wider international developments featured prominently in the discussions between Prince Salman and Starmer, who both expressed concern about the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran. They agreed on the urgent need to deescalate the conflict, ease tensions and resume dialogue.
They also reiterated previous calls for an immediate ceasefire agreement in Gaza, unimpeded humanitarian access to the territory, and the release of all hostages still held by Hamas.
Starmer congratulated Bahrain on its recent election as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council for a two-year term beginning in January 2026, and both leaders agreed to work closely to bolster their diplomatic efforts in the run-up to that.
Iran appoints new Revolutionary Guards intelligence chief

- He replaces Mohammed Kazemi
TEHRAN: Iran appointed a new chief of intelligence at its Revolutionary Guards on Thursday, the official Irna news agency said, after his predecessor was killed in an Israeli strike last week.
Major General Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps , appointed Brig. Gen. Majid Khadami as the new head of its intelligence division, Irna said.
He replaces Mohammed Kazemi, who was killed on Sunday alongside two other Revolutionary Guards officers — Hassan Mohaghegh and Mohsen Bagheri — in an Israeli strike.
Pakpour had himself been recently appointed after Israel killed his predecessor Hossein Salami in a strike on June 13.
“During the years that our martyred commanders Kazemi and Mohaqeq led the IRGC Intelligence, we witnessed significant growth in all aspects of intelligence within the IRGC,” said Pakpour.
Israel launched air strikes on nuclear and military sites in Iran last week, claiming that its arch enemy was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, which Iran denies.
Israel killed several top Iranian officials, prompting a counter-attack by Iran, which on Thursday hit an Israeli hospital.
Upon his appointment by Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei last Friday, Pakpour threatened to open “the gates of hell” in retaliation for Israel’s attacks.
Top Israeli figures have openly talked about killing Khamenei.
Australia closes Iran embassy citing deteriorating security environment

SYDNEY: Australia has suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran due to the deteriorating security environment in Iran and has directed the departure of all Australian officials, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Friday.
Australia’s ambassador to Iran will remain in the region to support the government’s response to the crisis, Wong said.
“We are continuing planning to support Australians seeking to depart Iran, and we remain in close contact with other partner countries,” Wong said in a statement.