BREAKING: Francesca Albanese, the contentious UN special rapporteur on Palestinian territories, has been officially removed from her position as an “affiliated scholar” at Georgetown University. This urgent development follows a campaign led by UN Watch, a Geneva-based NGO, which accused her of promoting antisemitism and supporting terrorism.
Screenshots obtained by UN Watch confirm that Albanese’s name has been erased from the “Other Affiliated Scholars” page of Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of International Migration. Previously, she held a prominent position on the roster, with a dedicated bio page that has now vanished from the university’s website.
At an event in Sicily on August 8, 2025, Albanese sparked outrage with her statements regarding Hamas, claiming, “People continue to say, ‘But Hamas, Hamas, Hamas…’ I don’t think people have any idea what Hamas is.” Her remarks, which downplayed the organization’s violent reputation, have been condemned as deeply problematic.
Earlier in her career, Albanese faced backlash for fundraising for her former employer, UNRWA, while asserting that America was “subjugated by the Jewish lobby.” Although she later apologized for her choice of words, the damage to her reputation was significant.
In response to her removal, Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, stated, “Academic institutions have a responsibility to uphold basic standards of integrity and human dignity.” He emphasized that Albanese’s track record of antisemitic rhetoric necessitated her exclusion from Georgetown, reinforcing the message that university affiliations should not protect individuals from accountability.
The removal coincides with US sanctions imposed on Albanese in July 2023, marking her as the first UN official to face such actions. According to Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, these sanctions were a response to her “biased and malicious activities,” which he stated rendered her unfit for her role.
Albanese has publicly lamented the impact of these sanctions, stating, “It’s really impairing as a person. It creates a chilling effect around you.” She has maintained that allegations of antisemitism against her are unfounded and have been “weaponized” for political purposes.
As the situation unfolds, Neuer has called for the UN to follow Georgetown’s lead in removing Albanese, stating, “There ought to be no place in the human rights system for officials who promote hatred and excuse terrorism.”
Georgetown University and Francesca Albanese have been contacted for further comments.
This developing story highlights the significant consequences of academic affiliations in the context of international politics and the ongoing discourse around antisemitism and terrorism. As reactions continue to emerge, the implications of this removal on Albanese’s career and the broader human rights landscape remain to be seen.
