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The Trump administration is imposing sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Human Rights Council’s special rapporteur and a vocal critic of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has connected the move to Albanese’s support for the International Criminal Court (ICC), some of whose judges have previously been sanctioned by the United States.
Rubio stated that the U.S. is sanctioning Albanese for her direct engagement with the ICC in its efforts to prosecute American or Israeli nationals, arguing that she is unfit to serve as a UN Special Rapporteur.
The sanctions are expected to prevent Albanese from traveling to the United States and would freeze any assets she may hold within the country.
This action marks the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s campaign against the ICC, which has already seen sanctions levied against four of its judges.
The U.S. decision follows the ICC’s issuance last year of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging war crimes in Gaza – accusations both men vehemently deny.
Rubio has also accused Albanese of “spewing unabashed antisemitism, expressing support for terrorism, and open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West.”
The move is likely to elicit strong condemnation from those advocating for accountability regarding the civilian casualties resulting from Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
The special rapporteur has long maintained that Western governments are failing to adequately support the rights of Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Her outspoken stance has garnered significant support among those who accuse Israeli and U.S. leaders of weaponizing accusations of antisemitism to stifle scrutiny of their policies.
Critics have pointed to past statements by Albanese, including a 2014 comment suggesting that the “Jewish lobby” influences U.S. government decisions concerning Israel and the Palestinians.
Albanese has since reportedly expressed regret for the remark, while rejecting claims that it was antisemitic.
Amnesty International’s head and former UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard expressed dismay at the decision to sanction Albanese.
“Governments around the world and all actors who believe in the rule-based order and international law must do everything in their power to mitigate and block the effect of the sanctions against Francesca Albanese,” she stated.
Rubio asserted that Albanese had shown contempt for the U.S. by writing “threatening letters” to several U.S. companies, making what he described as unfounded accusations and recommending the ICC pursue prosecutions of the companies and their executives.
“We will not tolerate these campaigns of political and economic warfare, which threaten our national interests and sovereignty,” Rubio declared.
Earlier this month, Albanese called on dozens of multinational companies to cease doing business with Israel, warning them of the risk of complicity in war crimes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
She alleged that the companies “profited from the Israeli economy of illegal occupation, apartheid, and now genocide” in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israel dismissed her report as “groundless” and predicted it would “join the dustbin of history.”
Albanese has also criticized Donald Trump’s plan, announced in February, to take over the Gaza Strip and displace its residents elsewhere.
“It’s unlawful, immoral and… completely irresponsible because it will make the regional crisis even worse,” she stated in February.
The timing of the sanctions announcement is noteworthy, coinciding with Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where he received an extended honor cordon at the Pentagon on Wednesday.
Albanese has previously refuted similar accusations, telling the BBC in October: “I don’t take these remarks and the defamation they carry lightly, but at the same time, I know this is not about me, as my predecessors knew that it was not about them.”
“I also know these member states [making accusations of antisemitism] have done absolutely nothing to abide by international law.”
Her office has been contacted for comment.
The Israeli military initiated its campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 others.
According to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry, at least 57,575 people have been killed in Gaza since then.
The majority of Gaza’s population has also been displaced multiple times. It is estimated that over 90% of homes have been damaged or destroyed; healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene systems have collapsed; and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter.
The comments from a United Nations official come as the island hosts talks about delivering global aid.
The US ambassador to the UN said the resolution failed to call on Hamas to disarm and leave the Gaza Strip.
Laila Soueif tells the BBC she believes she has “no other choice” to secure the release of her son Alaa Abdel Fattah from an Egyptian jail.
Antonio Guterres says he is “appalled” by reports of Palestinians being killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza.
The UN’s Tom Fletcher tells the BBC the people of Gaza have been subjected to forced starvation by Israel.
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