The international community is "epically failing" in its response to the Israel-Gaza war as innocent civilians continue to die, the UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories tells the National Press Club in Canberra.

  • [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.

    • Gorgritch_Umie_Killa
      5·
      1 year ago

      She was very impressive last night though. I thought she explained the problems very concisely.

        • Gorgritch_Umie_Killa
          2·
          1 year ago

          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.