US Imposes Sanctions on UN Rapporteur

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States is enforcing sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on Palestinian rights, whose views have stirred considerable controversy.

According to Rubio’s statement on X, “Albanese’s agenda promoting political and economic warfare against the US and Israel will not be accepted anymore.” Her recent support for transporting US and Israeli officials to the International Criminal Court (ICC) has drawn ire from lawmakers, diplomats, and human rights advocates.

Israel Responds to UN Report

Since her appointment in 2022, Albanese has criticized Israel, labeling its actions as apartheid and trivializing Hamas’ violence as “not surprising.” In her July 2025 report for the UN Human Rights Council, she suggested that international law could hold the UN accountable for “aggression crimes,” referencing the US drone strikes against Iranian nuclear sites during the Trump administration.

Moreover, she claimed that US companies supplying defense tech to Israel should face legal repercussions for their involvement in alleged war crimes. In 2022 posts that have since been deleted, Albanese questioned the influence of the “Jewish lobby” on US foreign policy, a statement she later retracted after being criticized for promoting anti-Semitic views.

Rubio continued, stating, “The State Department must denounce her toxic anti-Semitism, as well as her persistent attacks on the US, American businesses, and Israel’s existence.” Anne Bayefsky, president of Human Rights Voices, echoed this sentiment in a statement to Fox News Digital, indicating that Albanese poses a direct threat to American citizens and disregards the UN’s foundational principles.

UN Officials Echo Claims of Genocide

In light of calls for his removal, Albanese faced further scrutiny as UN experts reiterated allegations of Israeli “genocide.” Rubio’s actions prompted support from Israeli officials, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sarle stating on social media, “It’s about time for the UN to take this seriously!”

Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon criticized Albanese, asserting that she tarnishes the UN’s credibility by pushing misleading narratives. Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, praised Rubio’s “bold move,” claiming it was essential to stop UN officials from acting illegally.

“This is a victory against evil, and justice will prevail,” he added.

Fox News Digital reached out to the United Nations for comments about the sanctions on Albanese but received no immediate response.