U.S. sanctions against U.N. expert Albanese mark an escalation in the international fallout over Israel’s war in Gaza.
The United States has announced sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a senior United Nations Human Rights Council official, for her vocal criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the sanctions targeted Albanese for what he called her „illegitimate and shameful efforts“ to prompt investigations by the International Criminal Court into U.S. and Israeli officials, companies and executives. Albanese responded on X, formerly Twitter, stating she stands „firmly and convincingly on the side of justice, as I have always done“, without directly addressing the sanctions.
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and to Albanese for comment.Why It Matters
The move to sanction a U.N. human rights expert highlights escalating tensions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the global response to alleged abuses. Albanese’s work, which includes accusations of genocide against Israel, has drawn fierce criticism from U.S. officials and allies who view her reports as biased and politically motivated. The sanctions also underscore broader geopolitical disputes about the role and independence of U.N. human rights mechanisms.What to Know
Rubio accused Albanese of engaging in actions he described as illegitimate, specifically her efforts to encourage the ICC to investigate U.S. and Israeli officials, companies and executives.
„Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt International Criminal Court action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives.
