US Sanctions UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese Over Gaza Criticism

The United States government has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Human Rights Council's special rapporteur, in response to her outspoken criticism of Israel's military operations in Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on July 9, 2025, linking them to Albanese's support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is currently pursuing investigations into alleged war crimes committed by Israeli officials.

Rubio stated that the sanctions were a necessary measure to protect U.S. national interests and sovereignty, accusing Albanese of direct engagement with the ICC to prosecute American and Israeli nationals. "We will not tolerate these campaigns of political and economic warfare, which threaten our national interests and sovereignty," Rubio emphasized during a press conference. The sanctions will likely restrict Albanese's ability to travel to the U.S. and freeze any assets she holds in the country.

This action marks a continuation of the Trump administration’s aggressive stance against the ICC, which has already seen four of its judges sanctioned after the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. In light of these developments, Albanese's role as a UN special rapporteur has drawn significant scrutiny, particularly her allegations that Israeli actions amount to genocide against the Palestinian people.

Albanese has consistently argued that Western governments have failed to adequately support the rights of Palestinians, and her recent statements have intensified calls for multinational companies to cease operations in Israel. She warned that such companies risk complicity in what she describes as war crimes, stating, "They profited from the Israeli economy of illegal occupation, apartheid, and now genocide in the occupied Palestinian territories."

In response to Rubio’s statements, Albanese previously rejected accusations of antisemitism and asserted that her criticisms are rooted in a commitment to international law. "I know this is not about me, as my predecessors knew that it was not about them," she stated in an interview with BBC News. Albanese has also criticized the Trump administration's policies in the region, describing its plans as "unlawful, immoral, and completely irresponsible."

The timing of the sanctions coincides with Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where he received an honor cordon from the Pentagon. Observers suggest that the U.S. sanctions could provoke significant backlash from human rights advocates who seek accountability for the civilian casualties resulting from the ongoing conflict. Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, approximately 57,575 Palestinians have been reported killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with most of the population displaced multiple times and essential services, including healthcare and sanitation, in a state of collapse. Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns over food, fuel, and medical shortages, further exacerbating the dire situation in the region.

As the conflict continues, the implications of U.S. sanctions on Albanese extend beyond individual repercussions; they reflect a broader geopolitical struggle over narratives surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of international legal institutions like the ICC. The future of accountability in this context remains uncertain, especially as advocates for Palestinian rights face increasing pushback from powerful political entities in the U.S. and abroad.