Key points
- Francesca Albanese has been critical of Israel’s military assault
- US also recently sanctioned four ICC judges
- Rights experts have criticised the sanctions
ISLAMABAD: The United States said on Wednesday it was imposing sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, who has been very critical of US ally Israel’s war in Gaza.
“Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt (International Criminal Court) action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.
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.
Albanese’s campaign of political and economic…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 9, 2025
In a subsequent statement he slammed the UN expert’s strident criticism of the United States and said she recommended to the ICC that arrest warrants be issued targeting Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Albanese, an Italian lawyer and academic, has called on states at the UN Human Rights Council to impose an arms embargo and cut off trade and financial ties with Israel while accusing the US ally of waging a “genocidal campaign” in Gaza.
Fierce attack
Rubio also attacked her for “biased and malicious activities,” and accused her of having “spewed unabashed antisemitism (and) support for terrorism.”
He said she escalated her contempt for the United States by writing “threatening letters” to several US companies, making what Rubio called 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 said.
While Albanese was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, she does not speak on behalf of the United Nations itself.
“Profiting from genocide”
The Italy-born expert released a damning report earlier this month denouncing companies she said “profited from the Israeli economy of illegal occupation, apartheid, and now genocide” in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Albanese has levelled broadsides against the policies of Israel in Gaza, and of US President Donald Trump, particularly the plan he announced in February to take over the Gaza Strip and resettle its residents elsewhere.
That proposal faced a rejection from Palestinians, Middle East leaders and the United Nations.
“Utter nonsense”
Albanese dismissed it as “utter nonsense” and an “international crime” that will sow panic.
“It’s unlawful, immoral and… completely irresponsible because it will make the regional crisis even worse,” she said on February 5 during a visit to Copenhagen.
READ ALSO: US Sanctions Four Judges of the International Criminal Court; Netanyahu Thanks Trump
The US also recently sanctioned four ICC judges. Rights experts have criticised the sanctions, calling for their withdrawal.
