US Sanctions UN Palestinian Rights Rapporteur Albanese

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, citing her efforts to prompt International Criminal Court action against U.S. and Israeli officials and companies. The sanctions restrict Albanese's travel to the U.S. and freeze any assets she may have there. Albanese has repeatedly accused Israel of genocide and has called for sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel since the war in Gaza began. The U.S. has previously sanctioned ICC judges investigating American and Israeli officials and has demanded Albanese's removal over allegations of antisemitism and support for terrorism. Israeli officials welcomed the move, but the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other advocates condemned the sanctions as undermining judicial independence. Albanese and the UN Human Rights Council have not yet officially commented on the sanctions.