How the UN rapporteur for Palestine was banned by the Chamber, but still received by some of its members

Francesca Albanian sighs that she could sometimes have walked over Israel and Gaza more diplomatic or otherwise. She takes a deep breath. “But if so many children die, it is difficult to stay patient.” Albanese is sitting on the GroenLinks-PvdA fractional room on Thursday morning, with mainly journalists, photographers and TV cameras. The conversation is ultimately only attended by MPs from GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, DENK and the Party for the Animals. She regrets that other parties stayed away. “Too bad they don’t want to meet me, but what arguments would they have against the facts I mention?”

The fact that Albanian was a guest at GroenLinks-PvdA is because the Foreign Affairs Chamber Committee canceled an official conversation with the UN envoy at the last minute on Tuesday. In an additional procedure meeting, her arrival was blocked by a right -wing majority. Albanese would be ‘biased’ and too activist for a UN reporter; Some parties even accused her of anti -Semitism.

The support of the VVD, which previously agreed to the conversation, proved decisive.

Majority

In a procedural meeting on Thursday, January 23, there seems to be no dirt in the air. Kati Piri from GroenLinks-PvdA applies for a conversation with the committee because she knows that Albanian is coming to the Netherlands. She has already checked in advance whether there is a majority. And there is, because VVD MP Eric van der Burg has announced GroenLinks-PvdA that the liberals agree. Piri only wants to invite Albanese if the Chamber also approves that request, so as not to damage her person and authority.

Only SGP MP Diederik van Dijk already speaks shame of her possible arrival on January 23. He cannot “imagine that we offer this officer a stage”.

Then you have lost your value for me as an UN reporter

It remains quiet until a week before the conversation with Albanese. On Thursday, February 6, it will publish New Israelite Weekblad the article ‘The Hague rolls out red carpet for controversial Francesca Albanese’. A day later, the Center sends Information and Documentation Israel (CIDI) A letter of ten pages To the members of the Buitlandse Affairs committee with examples of how Albanese would be guilty of ‘very sides of Israel’ and ‘anti-Semitic statements’. The first of a series of articles follows on Saturday De Telegraafwith the head of “controversial UN rapporteur welcome in the Lower House.”

SGP’er van Dijk sees his chance clean and still wants to prevent the arrival of Albanian. He applies colleagues Raymond De Roon (PVV) and Henk Vermeer (BBB), who support him directly and thus deliver the required number of seats in the committee to be able to deregister an extra meeting for Tuesday. BBB leader Caroline van der Plas calls it on Sunday morning on X ‘bizarre that NSC, VVD and CDA have agreed to [Albaneses] Coming to the room ”.

In principle

Soon attention focuses on the VVD, which is crucial for a majority. In the earlier procedure meeting, the party supported the conversation with Albanese for two reasons, says Van der Burg. “In the Chamber we have the tradition of facilitating conversations, also with speakers with whom you disagree. And Albanese is a UN rapporteur and the Netherlands is a member, so then you start in principle. ”

But last weekend the unrest within the VVD increases. Van der Burg says he receives from VVD members and others “all kinds of quotes and tweets that took our position”. Among other things, he mentions a retweet by Albanian of a photo of Adolf Hitler and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The doubt at Van der Burg is increasing. He decides to discuss the issue in the app group of the group. He will arrive on Sunday evening De Telegraaf Knowing that he himself has “no need” to talk to Albanian. The conversation is not yet gone, the VVD must vote for the proposal from SGP, PVV and BBB on Tuesday.

‘Deepened’

PVV leader Geert Wilders continues the pressure on Monday morning via X. “Unbelievable that VVD MP @ericvanderburg supported the arrival of the Israel-haatster Albanese. Totally lost its way. ”

Tuesday afternoon it is strikingly busy at the extra procedure meeting. In contrast to the last time, MPs of the pronounced pro-Israeli parties now give the present in large numbers of PVV and BBB. The progressive groups have also called on extra members, but the position of the VVD remains decisive. That party now votes before withdrawing the invitation, Van der Burg explains. He “studied” himself in the statements of Albanian and sees mainly activism. “Then you have lost your value as an UN reporter for me.”

Because of all the fuss that was created, there was extra attention for her story

Piri finds that explanation unbelievable. “It is very disappointing to see that such a well -oriented lobby is doing its job. Certainly at the VVD, a party that I had higher in terms of democratic ethos. “

Albanian calls on Thursday morning at the GroenLinks-Pvda fractic room “a real problem.” She also says she stands for the right to exist and the safety of Israel.

Piri looks back satisfied afterwards. “Because of all the fuss that was created, there was extra attention for her story.”

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