Against the backdrop of “outrageous and reprehensible statements,” France called on Wednesday, through Foreign Minister Noel Barrow, for the resignation of the United Nations Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese. In the midst of Israeli efforts to deepen control over the occupied West Bank, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, confirmed that these measures constitute a step towards consolidating its illegal annexation, and undoubtedly accelerate the stripping of Palestinians of their rights.

Published on: 02/11/2026 - 15:21 Last updated: 02/11/2026 - 16:59

France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, called for the resignation of the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, against the backdrop of “outrageous and reprehensible statements” she made at a conference held on Saturday, the French Foreign Minister said on Wednesday.

Jean-Noel Barrot told members of Parliament: “France unreservedly condemns the outrageous and reprehensible statements made by Francesca Albanese, which do not target the Israeli government, whose policies can be criticized, but rather Israel as a people and as a nation, which is completely unacceptable.”

Barrow's accusations came during a video intervention on Saturday at a forum organized by Al Jazeera in Doha, during which Albanese touched on a "common enemy" that, in her words, allowed "genocide" to occur in Gaza.

She stated: “Instead of stopping Israel, most countries in the world armed it, gave it political excuses and a political umbrella, and provided it with economic and financial support.”

She continued: "We, who do not control huge capital, algorithms, or weapons, now realize that, as humanity, we have a common enemy."

In the same context, Albanese defended her position on Monday in a post on the

But the French Foreign Minister considered that Albanese's statements "add to a long list of outrageous positions, from justifying (the attack) on October 7, the worst anti-Jewish massacre in our history since the Holocaust, to addressing the Jewish lobby, and even likening Israel to the Third Reich."

He said in response to a question asked by the representative in the presidential camp, Caroline Yaden: “She is a political activist who promotes hate speech that harms the cause of the Palestinian people, which she claims to defend, and the United Nations. It is not possible, under any circumstances, and in any capacity, for Albanese to speak on their behalf.”

On Tuesday, Yaden, along with about twenty deputies, demanded in a letter to the minister that Albanese be stripped “of any UN mandate, with immediate effect” after her statements.

The United Nations warns of Israel's plans in the West Bank

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned on Wednesday that Israel’s plans to tighten its grip on the occupied West Bank in preparation for expanding settlements constitute a step towards consolidating its illegal annexation.

The statement included, "If these decisions are implemented, they will undoubtedly accelerate the stripping of Palestinians of their rights and their forced displacement, and will lead to the establishment of more illegal Israeli settlements. They will also further deprive Palestinians of their natural resources and restrict their enjoyment of other human rights."

The plans include allowing Jewish Israelis to purchase land in the West Bank directly and expanding Israel's control to include areas under the administration of the Palestinian Authority.

Turk explained that the decisions issued by the Israeli Security Ministerial Council are the latest in a series of measures aimed at annexing Palestinian lands.

He noted in a statement, "This is another step by the Israeli authorities towards making the establishment of a viable Palestinian state impossible, in violation of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination."

“Depriving Palestinians of their rights and forcibly displacing them”

He continued: "If these decisions are implemented, they will undoubtedly accelerate the stripping of Palestinians of their rights and forced displacement, and will lead to the establishment of more illegal Israeli settlements. They will also further deprive Palestinians of their natural resources and restrict their enjoyment of other human rights."

Turk warned that the new measures will “further consolidate Israeli control and integrate the occupied West Bank into Israel, which reinforces illegal annexation.”

He pointed out that it comes within a broader context with the increasing attacks by settlers and Israeli security forces on Palestinians in the West Bank, in addition to forced displacement, evictions, home demolitions, land seizures, movement restrictions, and other violations documented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

He stated: "We are witnessing accelerating steps to permanently change the demographic composition of the occupied Palestinian territory, by stripping its residents of their lands and forcing them to leave."

He added: "This is supported by speeches and practices issued by senior Israeli officials, and in violation of Israel's duties as an occupying power to preserve the existing legal system and social fabric. These decisions must be cancelled."

To view this content from YouTube, it is necessary to allow the collection of viewing rates and YouTube ads.

It appears that an application in your Internet browser is preventing the video player from loading. In order to view this content, you must cancel its use.

"firm stance"

In this context, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday called on the United States and the international community to take a “firm stance.”

He pointed out in a press conference that "these grave violations require a firm response from the US administration and the international community because they obstruct President Trump's efforts and constitute a violation of international law."

Abbas said during a visit to Oslo that he discussed with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Sture this decision, the violence of Israeli settlers, and Israel’s withholding of four billion dollars in aid allocated to the Palestinian people.

He stated in a press conference, "These grave violations require a firm response from the American administration and the international community because they obstruct President Trump's efforts and constitute a violation of international law."

In turn, Germany warned against Israeli measures aimed at deepening control over the occupied West Bank, considering it a step towards “actual annexation.”

The escalation of international reactions in this context coincides with the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington on Wednesday, where he will meet with US President Donald Trump.

On Monday evening, a US administration official reaffirmed Trump’s position “opposing Israel’s annexation of the West Bank.”

France 24/AFP

Keywords related to the article

The content you want to browse is no longer in service or is currently unavailable.