UN rapporteur denounces 'necrocapitalism' profiting from genocide in Madrid

Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, delivered a powerful and unsparing indictment of the international community's complicity in what she terms "necrocapitalism" during a packed event at Madrid's Círculo de Bellas Artes. Her address, delivered to a standing-room-only audience, focused on the disturbing phenomenon of individuals and corporations profiting from the ongoing violence and suffering in Palestine, a stark contrast to the global outcry that has yet to materialize into decisive action.

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Sé que estoy haciendo lo correcto porque estoy haciendo lo que cualquier persona decente en mi posición haría: (...) pedir que quienes han cometido crímenes sean llevados ante la justicia

Albanese, who has faced significant pressure and sanctions, including from the United States, for her critical reports, articulated a clear message: the international system is fundamentally flawed, designed not to prevent atrocities but to perpetuate the Israeli occupation. She questioned the efficacy of conventions meant to prevent genocide when such events are not even acknowledged, stating, "denying a genocide is an intrinsic part of the genocide itself." Her presence in Madrid, to launch her book 'When the World Sleeps,' underscored her commitment to bringing these uncomfortable truths to a wider audience, challenging the narrative that often seeks to downplay or ignore the severity of the situation.

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¿Por qué si hay una convención para prevenir el genocidio, este genocidio no se detiene? ¿Cómo puedes prevenir un genocidio si ni siquiera hablas de que hay uno? Háganme caso, (...) negar un genocidio es una parte intrínseca del propio genocidio

The concept of "necrocapitalism"—where profit is derived from death and destruction—was central to her critique. Albanese pointed to the stark reality of financial markets in Tel Aviv rising as bombs fall on Gaza, illustrating a system where one population's enrichment is directly tied to another's annihilation. This economic engine of conflict, she argued, involves a complex web of private interests, including arms, infrastructure, technology, and tourism companies, which she named as complicit. This perspective, deeply rooted in a human rights framework, challenges the prevailing global economic order and its ethical implications, particularly when viewed from a Spanish context where public opinion has often been more critical of Israeli actions than official government policy.

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hay gente que se está enriqueciendo mediante el asesinato de niños, madres y padres

While Albanese acknowledged a growing "awakening" among people globally, she lamented that this has not translated into sufficient political will from states. Her particular criticism was reserved for the European Union's response, which she found lacking. The event in Madrid, attended by prominent figures from Spain's cultural and intellectual circles, served as a platform for Albanese to amplify her message, urging a more robust and morally grounded response to what she perceives as an unfolding apocalypse, driven by economic interests at the expense of human lives.

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Un pueblo enriquecido mientras otro es borrado. Eso es lo que llaman necrocapitalismo