United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has raised serious concerns over India’s engagement with Israel, stating that the country may be “violating its obligations” under international law. In an interview with The Hindu, she underlined that global legal standards prohibit states from engaging in arms trade with nations accused of maintaining illegal occupations.
Referring to the International Court of Justice, Albanese said the court had declared the occupation of Palestinian territories illegal and imposed obligations on countries to refrain from supporting such actions. She added that the situation gains further gravity in light of ongoing genocide allegations against Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces accusations of war crimes.
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Albanese also highlighted reports suggesting that Indian companies exported defence materials to Israel during the Gaza conflict. A plea to halt such exports was earlier dismissed by the Supreme Court of India.
In her report titled “Torture and Genocide,” presented at the UNHRC session, she alleged that third-party states enable systemic violations through military and logistical support. The report describes widespread detention, surveillance, and torture in Gaza, with over 18,000 arrests and thousands of enforced disappearances.
Beyond legal concerns, Albanese stressed India’s moral responsibility, pointing to its anti-colonial legacy. She argued that India’s current stance represents a departure from its historical values, warning that continued support for Israel could contribute to the erosion of international law and accountability systems.
