UN Rapporteur warns over continued European arms trade with Israel

According to the Shehab News Agency, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, strongly criticized the European Union for its stance on Israel’s war against the Gaza Strip.

She stated that the European Union has become a shield that allows its member states to evade their international obligations toward Palestine.

Albanese said that continuing trade agreements with Israel, due to Germany and Italy’s opposition to suspending them, poses a serious threat.

She also warned that the ongoing arms trade between European states and Israel is playing a role in the devastation of Palestine.

The UN official noted that the West Bank is witnessing an unprecedented level of ethnic cleansing not seen in 80 years. Regarding Gaza, she pointed out that 80 percent of the remaining population of the Strip — 1.9 million people — has been displaced and is now living amid wastewater flooding, rubble, and the total destruction of critical infrastructure.

Albanese also stressed that the U.S. president’s proposed plan for Gaza is not compatible with international law.