The American University of Beirut responds to reports it 'canceled' visit by Francesca Albanese, says decision 'legal,' not political
Sid Shniad
The American University of Beirut responds to reports it 'canceled' visit by Francesca Albanese, says decision 'legal,' not political
The American University was required to make this decision, or risk facing "major institutional risks," due to U.S. sanctions against the U.N. special rapporteur.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. (Archive photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)
The American University of Beirut (AUB) defended itself on Sunday after a decision allegedly taken by the university to prevent U.N. Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese from speaking on campus sparked 'outrage' online. In a statement published Sunday afternoon, it argued it was bound to comply with U.S. law and called the move a legal, not political, decision.
For two days, internet users have denounced what they say was AUB’s decision, criticizing an attack on freedom of expression, and even "U.S. pressure" that prevented Albanese from taking part in an upcoming conference.
Albanese, who focuses primarily on Israeli human rights abuses in the occupied Palestinian territories, has been under U.S. sanctions since July 2025 due to her regular criticism and allegations against Israel. She is one of the many international legal experts who have accused Israel of committing a genocide in Gaza since 2023.
U.S. sanctions list
In the statement, AUB said that no event had been planned, nor subsequently canceled, that would have involved the Special Rapporteur. "As with any invited speaker at AUB, Albanese is subject to standard screening procedures," the statement said, recalling that AUB operates under a "charter issued by the New York State Education Department."
In this context, the university must comply with both Lebanese and U.S. law. Under U.S. law, "all individuals and entities with whom the university interacts must be screened against the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) list." The expert’s name appears on this list.
AUB added that its decisions regarding on-campus events are therefore "guided by legal compliance imperatives, not by adherence to or opposition to anyone’s opinions," and that it therefore could not "legally invite" Albanese.
Otherwise, the university would have faced "major institutional risks, potential legal consequences for its staff," as well as danger to "student support and research by faculty members benefiting the entire region."
Despite these risks and legal imperatives, the university also reiterated its "deep commitment to freedom of expression and open intellectual exchange."
In a message posted on her X account addressed to her "friends in Lebanon," the Albanese expressed regret that she would be unable to come to Beirut, specifying that AUB had not "canceled" her visit.
"I have had to postpone my visit to the region for personal reasons," she added, without providing further details. "I will be there soon and am grateful to my colleagues at AUB for their support in organizing the events in Beirut," she said.
A conference in February 2025
In February 2025, several months before being sanctioned by Washington, the Special Rapporteur gave a conference organized by the "Palestine Land Studies Center" (PLSC) at AUB.
No event featuring Albanese’s name, however, has been announced by the university for January. The PLSC describes itself on its social media as "the first university center dedicated to the critical study of land and Palestinian rights through research, teaching, and advocacy."
In the statement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing the sanctions against Francesca Albanese, he accused her of "biased and malicious activities," of antisemitism, and of having "expressed support for terrorism and displayed open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West."
The sanctions were issued as part of those also imposed on the International Criminal Court after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israeli authorities regularly call for the expert to be dismissed from her position.