UN Investigator Sanctioned by US Over Gaza Report

The UN Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, accused 48 companies, including many American firms, of profiting from Israel's invasion of Gaza, calling it an "economy of genocide." She urged them to stop doing business with Israel and face trial at the International Criminal Court. In response, the US sanctioned Albanese, accusing her of spreading "unabashed anti-Semitism" and undertaking a "campaign of political and economic warfare." Albanese has been vocal about Israeli occupation and the plight of Palestinians, and her outspoken nature has been criticized by her detractors.

The United States has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied since 1967, following her recent report accusing 48 companies, including many American firms, of profiting from Israel's invasion of Gaza. Ms. Albanese, in her report, described the situation as an "economy of genocide" and urged the companies to stop doing business with Israel and face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) [1].

The sanctions, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are part of the Trump Administration's broader campaign against what it calls "lawfare" targeting the US and Israel. Rubio accused Ms. Albanese of spreading "unabashed anti-Semitism" and undertaking a "campaign of political and economic warfare" [2].

Ms. Albanese has been vocal about Israeli occupation and the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. Her outspoken nature has drawn criticism from her detractors, who point to her 2014 remark about a "Jewish lobby" in Washington influencing the US government's decisions [3]. She has also been critical of the US President's plan to "take over" Gaza and has encouraged ICC action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [3].

The sanctions on Ms. Albanese will prevent her and her family members from traveling to the US and freeze any assets in the country. The measures are part of the Trump Administration's response to what it sees as illegitimate ICC overreach and abuse of power [2]. This move comes after the ICC issued arrest warrants against Israeli officials for allegations of war crimes in Gaza [1].

The US is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the ICC, and it has quit the UN Human Rights Council since Donald Trump's return to office earlier this year. This leaves sanctions as the primary response for unfavourable decisions directed at the country [3].

References:

[1] https://news.sky.com/story/un-expert-francesca-albanese-who-spoke-to-sky-news-about-economy-of-genocide-in-gaza-sanctioned-by-us-13394963
[2] https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/07/sanctioning-lawfare-that-targets-u-s-and-israeli-persons
[3] https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/francesca-albanese-shooting-the-messenger/article69805285.ece