United Nations Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese
US sanctions UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese over criticism of 'Israel', US
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that Washington is imposing sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, over what he described as a campaign of "political and economic warfare" against the United States and 'Israel'.
Rubio made the announcement in a post on social media platform X, stating, "Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt @IntlCrimCourt action against US 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 @IntlCrimCourt action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 9, 2025
Albanese’s campaign of political and economic…
He added, "Albanese’s campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated. We will always stand by our partners in their right to self-defense."
The sanctions come in response to Albanese's efforts to hold US and 'Israeli' figures accountable through the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged violations in Gaza. As Special Rapporteur, Albanese has been one of the most outspoken UN officials condemning 'Israeli' actions in the Palestinian territories, including the war on Gaza, which has drawn widespread international criticism.
Rubio said the United States would "continue to take whatever actions we deem necessary to respond to lawfare and protect our sovereignty and that of our allies."
