[UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories] Francesca Albanese has taken aim at the global response to the Israel-Gaza war.
She says the death toll and number of injured people will continue to rise.
Her address follows a speech from the Israeli ambassador to the Press Club last month.
“The international community is almost completely paralysed [and] I am being generous when I say almost,” she said.
"The UN [is] experiencing its most epic political and humanitarian failure since its creation.
“Individual member states, especially in the West – and Australia is no exception – are on the margins, muttering inaudible words of condemnation … or staying silent in fear of restraining Israel’s self-proclaimed right to self-defence – whatever it means.”
She said under international law, Israel had the right to protect itself, but not the right to wage a war.
I saw her on Q+A last night, visibly frustrated with what the pro-Israel guests were saying. Something which neither Israel nor Hamas can see but is glaringly obvious to an outsider
She was very impressive last night though. I thought she explained the problems very concisely.
Yes, she dealt in facts as well not whatever garbage the others were putting out. She made it very clear that self defence doesn’t apply to what Israel are doing and it is a clear violation of international law
Yeah the others, only argued from their side of the conflict. They had trouble even acknowledging the atrocities their side have committed.
I will say the man representing the Palestinian cause did give a good reason for shrinking away from condemning Hamas when pressed on it. I think he should offer that reasoning more freely in future, otherwise people get the wrong idea.
I loved how the most animated Dave Sharma got was when he disagreed with something Tim Watts said. He can’t help but be a political animal. I imagine he’ll be back on the political scene at some point.
Full episode on YT for anyone interested in checking it out!
Edit: and here on ABC itself.