US Sanctions UN Rapporteur Over Israel Criticism

The United States has imposed unprecedented sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian rights, citing her calls for International Criminal Court (ICC) action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Albanese of engaging in 'political and economic warfare' and promoting 'antisemitic and pro-terror rhetoric.' The sanctions, the first of their kind against a UN representative, are based on a February executive order by President Trump targeting those who support ICC actions against US or Israeli citizens. Albanese has labeled Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide' and named over 60 companies allegedly complicit in supporting Israeli military operations. Both Israel and pro-Israel groups have urged her removal, while human rights advocates defend her reporting on Gaza abuses. The United Nations stated that Albanese acts independently and her views do not represent the organization.