CIJA Calls on Government of Canada to Condemn UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese

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CIJA
|October 28, 2024
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Ottawa, ON – October 28, 2024 – Today, at a press conference on Parliament Hill, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) highlighted the concerns of the Canadian Jewish community regarding the upcoming speaking engagement of Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, at the University of Toronto (St. George Campus).

Citing Albanese’s deeply troubling record of antisemitic remarks, including blaming Israel for the recent horrifying Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and equating Israel’s effort to combat the genocidal ambitions of Hamas with Nazi Germany, which have exacerbated divisions and contributed to record levels of antisemitism, CIJA is calling on the Government of Canada to:

  • Issue a clear and public condemnation of Albanese’s actions and statements and have the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and Ambassador Bob Rae echo that condemnation.
  • Ensure that no government official meets with Albanese while she is in Canada.
  • Waive diplomatic immunity for Albanese’s visit.
  • Demand Albanese’s removal from her position at the United Nations.

Further, in response to the upcoming visit of UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese to the University of Toronto, CIJA released the following statement:

“It is deeply concerning that Francesca Albanese has been invited to speak on November 7, 2024, at the University of Toronto (St. George Campus) by pro-Palestinian organizations. Albanese has a troubling history of statements and actions that reflect blatant antisemitism and a dangerous bias against Israel. In the aftermath of the horrific October 7 attacks by Hamas, Albanese blamed the violence on what she calls "Israel’s oppression," thereby excusing terrorism and minimizing the suffering of innocent Israeli civilians. Such statements serve to embolden those who seek to justify violence against Jews and delegitimize Israel’s right to defend itself against terror.

“Furthermore, Albanese’s appearance on a Hezbollah-affiliated media channel and her refusal to condemn the group’s terrorism underscore her willingness to side with entities that advocate for the destruction of Israel. This aligns with a pattern of antisemitic rhetoric that has no place in Canadian discourse, let alone on a university campus. Most recently, she equated Israel’s efforts to combat the genocidal ambitions of Hamas with Nazi Germany – a gross and offensive distortion of history.

“We call on the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Government of Canada to condemn Albanese’s behaviour in no uncertain terms. Canada must take a strong stance against any form of antisemitism, particularly when it emanates from individuals in positions of influence such as Albanese. She has been, and rightly so, strongly condemned by allied countries such as the United States, France, and Germany. It is crucial that our government stands in solidarity with the Jewish community and demonstrates its commitment to combating antisemitism on the international stage.

“No government official should be meeting with Albanese while she’s in Canada nor should Albanese enjoy diplomatic immunity while she’s here in Canada.

“The fact that Albanese advances such toxic messages under the banner of the UN makes her actions even more egregious and reprehensible. Canada should call for her removal from her position at the UN.

“Her presence in Canada should not be allowed to pass without a clear response from the government. Antisemitism, in all its forms, must be unequivocally condemned, especially when it is cloaked in the guise of human rights advocacy.”

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The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, representing Jewish Federations across Canada. By clicking "Sign up," you consent to receive periodic updates from CIJA. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Le Centre consultatif des relations juives et israéliennes (CIJA) est l'agence de représentation de Fédérations juives du Canada - UIA, représentant les fédérations juives à travers le Canada. En cliquant sur  «  Sign up , »  vous acceptez de recevoir des mises à jour périodiques de CIJA. Vous pouvez vous désabonner à tout moment.
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The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, representing Jewish Federations across Canada.