United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has condemned the US sanctions imposed on her as “obscene” retaliation for exposing Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Albanese, who serves as the UN’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, expressed her defiance in an interview, stating that the penalties imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration would not silence her pursuit of justice and international law.
“We stand at a historic reckoning,” Albanese declared. “Either the world awakens to stop this disgrace, or we surrender to the mafia logic of power.” She emphasized that her criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza stems from the country’s alleged commission of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Albanese’s report, which mapped corporations aiding Israel in the displacement of Palestinians and its genocidal war on Gaza, was cited as a reason for the US sanctions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions, accusing Albanese of waging a “campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel.” However, Albanese countered that the atrocities committed in Gaza are not only the result of Israel’s actions but also the involvement of companies profiting from it. She called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli- and US-backed group, a “death trap” due to the hundreds of Palestinians shot and killed while queueing for food at aid distribution sites.
The US sanctions have sparked widespread criticism, with many viewing it as a dangerous precedent that undermines the independence of UN special rapporteurs. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, called the decision “unacceptable,” emphasizing that unilateral sanctions against special rapporteurs or any other UN expert or official are not justified. Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard also condemned the sanctions, urging governments worldwide to protect the work and independence of Special Rapporteurs.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the Israeli campaign having destroyed most of the territory and killed over 57,575 Palestinians in the past 21 months, according to local health officials. Albanese’s comments highlight the severity of the humanitarian crisis, and her determination to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. As the international community watches, the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict becomes increasingly urgent.