United States imposes financial penalties on the United Nations' human rights expert
The United States has announced sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, due to her vocal criticism of Israel's policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and her efforts to trigger legal action against Israeli and US entities at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other forums. The sanctions, which include freezing assets and travel bans, were announced on Wednesday and are perceived by the US government as a response to what they consider as politically motivated "lawfare" against itself and Israel.
The charges against Albanese, an Italian national, stem from her regular accusations of genocide in Gaza, her calls for sanctions and an arms embargo against Israel, and her work to prompt ICC action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives. She has also published a report exposing how companies have profited from Israel's occupation and alleged apartheid system, and has been accused by US officials of antisemitism and support for terrorism.
In response, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned her efforts as a "shameless" campaign and vowed to continue actions to protect US interests and those of its allies. However, human rights groups like Amnesty International have criticized the sanctions as an attack on international justice and the independence of UN human rights mechanisms, emphasizing Albanese’s mandate to advocate for Palestinian rights and hold violators accountable under international law.
The ICC issued international arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Joav Gallant in November, in relation to their roles during the Gaza war. Netanyahu, who is currently in Washington, has not been arrested due to these warrants as Israel does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction. The sanctions against Albanese were imposed due to her advocacy for the ICC's actions against Netanyahu and Gallant.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has called the US sanctions against Albanese a "clear message" to the United Nations. Marco Rubio, on the other hand, claimed that Albanese is leading a campaign against the USA and Israel. This is not the first time US officials have accused Albanese of antisemitism and support for terrorism, leading to prior calls from the US DOJ's Task Force to Combat Antisemitism urging her removal from her UN post.
In summary, the USA has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese due to her vocal criticism of Israel's policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and her efforts to trigger legal action against Israeli and US entities at the ICC and other forums, which Washington perceives as politically motivated "lawfare" against itself and Israel. The sanctions have sparked controversy, with human rights groups criticizing them as an attack on international justice, while US officials maintain that they are necessary to protect US interests and those of its allies.
The US sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a vocal critic of Israel's policies, stem from her advocacy for international legal action against Israeli and US entities, as well as her accusations of genocide in Gaza and calls for sanctions against Israel. The sanctions, viewed as a response to Albanese's campaign, have been condemned by human rights groups as an attack on international justice, while US officials maintain they are necessary to protect US interests.
