Christian Charities Fight U.N. Bid to Step Into Their Defamation Suit Against Albanese
Two U.S. pro-Israel Christian groups say a magistrate judge's recommendation to let the United Nations claim immunity for its special rapporteur ignores the U.S. government's stand.
Learn more ›DENVER, Colo. —
Two American Christian charities that support Israel have objected to a magistrate judge's recommendation that the United Nations be allowed to intervene in their defamation lawsuit against U.N. special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, JNS reported Nov. 9. The case is before the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.
See where this is ›The plaintiffs are Christian Friends of Israeli Communities, which is based in Colorado, and Christians for Israel USA. They are represented by the National Jewish Advocacy Center. According to JNS, the magistrate judge recommended last week that the United Nations be permitted to step in and assert immunity on behalf of Albanese, whose title at the world body is special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories.
In their objection, the charities argue the recommendation misreads their position and overlooks the stand of the U.S. government, which has sanctioned Albanese, JNS reported. A U.N. spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, told JNS that Albanese is an expert on mission for the United Nations with immunity in this matter and said the U.N. could not discuss the details of the case.
The two groups filed suit in September 2025. The Times of Israel reported then that the complaint accuses Albanese of making false statements about the charities because of their support for Israel. In letters sent in April 2025, she accused them of complicity in war crimes, crimes against humanity and apartheid. The suit says Albanese “spread malicious lies” to harm their reputations and finances, and it argues that her remarks fell outside her official duties.
Christian Friends of Israeli Communities says its work supports Israeli communities, including projects for disabled and elderly Israelis and for children. Its executive director, Shmuel Junger, wrote on the group's website that the accusations are completely false and that Albanese's aim was to intimidate the charity into silence.
In May, the Colorado court ruled that Albanese could be properly served by email and social media, giving her 21 days to respond or risk a default judgment, according to the charity. The charities are asking the court for a retraction, an order to stop repeating the statements and money damages.
What we don't know yet: The district judge has not yet ruled on the magistrate judge's recommendation or on the charities' objection. Watchman News could not open the court docket, so the dates of the latest filings come from JNS's report.
