Over 100 artists for Palestine back UN’s Albanese after resignation calls
Al Jazeera
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Over 100 prominent artists, including Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, Annie Ernaux, and Annie Lennox, have signed an open letter supporting UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese amid calls for her resignation over her critical remarks about Israel. The artists’ statement praised Albanese as a defender of human rights and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people’s right to exist.
Albanese has faced international backlash after her comments at the Al Jazeera Forum, where she criticized the system enabling genocide in Palestine. A debunked video falsely portrayed her as accusing Israel directly, leading France and Germany to call for her removal. French lawmakers condemned her remarks as “anti-Semitic,” while German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described her position as “untenable.”
Critics argue that European governments are silencing criticism of Israel to protect their political agenda. Frank Barat, an author and film producer, highlighted how Albanese’s focus on preventing genocide in Gaza has made her a target. Marta Hurtado, spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern over personal attacks against UN officials, which divert attention from pressing human rights issues.
The situation underscores broader tensions between artistic and political spheres, with artists advocating for justice and accountability. The conflict in Gaza has claimed nearly 600 lives since the ceasefire, with over 72,000 killed and 171,000 injured since October 2023. Albanese’s supporters argue that her work is vital to addressing these atrocities, even as she faces unprecedented pressure to step down.
This controversy highlights the struggle for free expression in conflicts involving Israel and Palestine. The case of Francesca Albanese raises questions about whether international officials can speak truthfully without fear of reprisal, ultimately impacting efforts to hold governments accountable for human rights violations.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/14/2026