Albanese, UN and US sanctions
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced Francesca Albanese, a special rapporteur, for calling for international investigations of Americans and Israelis over the war in the enclave.
An independent investigator is being sanctioned by the United States over her work scrutinizing human rights abuses in the Palestinian territory.
UN Special Rapporteur accuses companies of benefiting from Israeli invasion of Gaza, faces U.S. sanctions for anti-Semitism.
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations' special rapporteur, has accused Israel of waging a "genocidal campaign" in Gaza.
Special Rapporteurs enjoy full diplomatic immunity under international law. Fellow experts suggest US sanctions could be the subject of proceedings before the International Court of Justice
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with senior Republicans as part of a multi-day visit to Washington DC.
Francesca Albanese, a UN Gaza investigator, was sanctioned by the US under Trump. She is an Italian lawyer with no relation to Australian PM Anthony Albanese.
On July 9, 2025, the US State Department sanctioned Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories. As indicated in the DOS statement, “Albanese has spewed unabashed antisemitism, expressed support for terrorism, and open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West.”