WASHINGTON: The United States has reimposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, after an appeals court overturned an earlier decision blocking the move.
A notice published by the US Treasury Department confirmed that Albanese was once again placed under sanctions, effectively blacklisting her from the global financial system and restricting access to banking services and major credit card networks.
Albanese, an Italian legal expert, has become one of the most outspoken international critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and its treatment of Palestinians during her tenure with the UN Human Rights Council.
The renewed sanctions followed a ruling issued by a US appeals court on Friday, which temporarily suspended a lower court order while legal proceedings continue.
The legal challenge had been filed by Albanese’s husband, Massimiliano Cali, on behalf of their minor child, who is a US citizen.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the sanctions last year, accusing Albanese of promoting “unabashed antisemitism,” supporting terrorism and showing hostility toward the United States, Israel and Western countries.
Albanese has rejected allegations of antisemitism, similar accusations also raised by Israeli officials.
The move is expected to deepen tensions between Washington and some international human rights groups, which have criticised efforts to sanction UN officials investigating the conflict in Gaza.
