SWC Calls for Removal of UN Special Rapporteur for Comparing Israel’s Prime Minister to Hitler

The Simon Wiesenthal Center called for the removal of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, for comparing Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Vice Dean and Director for Global Social Action of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, stated, “Albanese’s egregiousstatements are not only deeply offensive but also dangerous, as they normalize and legitimize extreme anti-Semitism on the international stage. Her position within the UN is untenable, andimmediate action must be taken to remove her. The UN Human Rights Council must not be led by a clear anti-Semite.”

Rabbi Cooper further stated: “This is not a one-off incident. Francesca Albanese has a long-standing pattern of demonizingIsrael and justifying terror against Israelis. The Wiesenthal Center underscores that anti-Semitism has no place in any organization, least of all within the United Nations. We urgeEuropean governments to leverage their influence within the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that Francesca Albanese is held accountable for her actions and removed from her role as SpecialRapporteur.”

“Anti-Semitic rhetoric and Holocaust trivialization must be confronted wherever they occur,” continued Daniel Schuster, SeniorRepresentative of Europe for the Simon Wiesenthal Center. “The failure to act decisively against Albanese sends a perilous message that such bigotry is tolerable.”

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Erik Simon at esimon@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthalfor news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status atthe United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).