WASHINGTON, July 10 — In a move that’s stirred international debate and drawn attention to the escalating tensions surrounding the Gaza crisis, the United States has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN-appointed expert on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement, accusing Albanese of promoting what he called “illegitimate and shameful” actions against American and Israeli officials. Her recent report, which harshly criticized US policy and Israel’s actions in Gaza, has become the epicenter of a global controversy.
“Her efforts to trigger International Criminal Court (ICC) actions against officials, companies, and executives are not only baseless, they’re dangerous,” Rubio posted on social media. He alleged Albanese has expressed antisemitic views and has shown support for terrorist activities, labeling her work as “biased and malicious.”
Albanese, who serves as a Special Rapporteur for the UN Human Rights Council but not as a UN spokesperson, published a powerful report this month. In it, she named several companies she claims have profited from what she described as “Israel’s economy of illegal occupation, apartheid, and now genocide” in Palestinian territories.
The report was met with immediate backlash from Israel and many of the named companies. But it also sparked discussion about corporate complicity in conflict zones and the role of international law in protecting human rights.
Criticism of her views has been long-standing. She denounced former US President Donald Trump’s controversial Gaza resettlement plan, calling it “unlawful, immoral, and completely irresponsible.” In her words, “It will only deepen an already dangerous regional crisis.”
Despite the pressure and sanctions, Albanese has continued her mission, voicing concerns over the treatment of Palestinians and urging the global community to act.
Israel welcomed the US decision. Ambassador Danny Danon stated that Albanese has “undermined the credibility of the UN Human Rights Council” and accused her of spreading false narratives.
But others see it differently. To some, this is not just a political issue — it’s a humanitarian one. It’s a debate about justice, responsibility, and how far the global community will go to protect—or silence—those who speak up for the voiceless.
