LONDON: International momentum toward recognizing a Palestinian state should not distract UN members from bringing an end to the “genocide” in Gaza, Francesca Albanese has said.
The UN special rapporteur for the Occupied Territories told The Guardian that the extended debate about Palestinian statehood has yielded no political progress, instead enabling the spread of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
“The territory has been literally eaten out by the advancement of the annexation and colonization,” she said.
Recognition of a Palestinian state is “important,” but something so simple that “it’s incoherent that they’ve not done it already,” Albanese added.
Renewed global attention toward statehood should not “distract the attention from where it should be: the genocide,” she said, calling for a total arms embargo and a cessation of trade agreements with Israel.
“Ending the question of Palestine in line with international law is possible and necessary: End the genocide today, end the permanent occupation this year and end apartheid,” she added.
“This is what’s going to guarantee freedom and equal rights for everyone, regardless of the way they want to live — in two states or one state, they will have to decide.”
Albanese said growing worldwide angst over the destruction of Gaza is an “ultimate struggle” and a matter of “light and darkness.”
Despite inaction by Western countries, she sees hope in the “millions of people taking to the streets and asking for an end to the genocide.”
She added: “An entire new generation now speaks the language of human rights. For me, this is a success in and of itself.”
Her most recent report focused on the corporate power — “profiting from genocide” — behind Israel’s actions in Gaza.
“The occupation is profitable, and so is the genocide, and this is shocking, but it is to be known in order to be seen and to be stopped,” Albanese said.
“The power is not just with the prime ministers or with the governments. The power is with us, and we can start choosing through our wallet.”
