Activists Call on UN To Fire Official Who Says Israel Does Not Have Right To Defend Itself

International activists are calling for a United Nations official to be fired over controversial comments regarding Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism.

Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur for the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, stated on Twitter that Israel’s actions in response to Palestinian attacks are unjustified. Albanese is overseeing the United Nations’ investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes and has been accused of demonstrating a “relentless, systematic, and unhinged bias against Israel.”

The International Legal Forum, a group of more than 4,000 lawyers, claims that Albanese is “endorsing the murder of Israeli civilians,” and is calling for her “anti-Semitism and virulent bias” to result in her termination from the United Nations.

Albanese has also been accused of supporting anti-Semitic movements, such as the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions campaign against Israel. Pro-Israel groups, including the International Legal Forum, have criticised Albanese’s biased stance for damaging the United Nations’ reputation and questioning the neutrality of the investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes.

U.S. lawmakers previously called for the United Nations to sever ties with Albanese, citing her “strong bias against Israel.” The U.N. has not commented on the matter.