US sanctions UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese over ICC ties, criticism of Israel

The United States has imposed sanctions on UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, citing her engagement with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and critical stance on Israel's military operations in Gaza.

According to a BBC report, the move by the Trump administration is the latest in a series of measures targeting officials and entities associated with the ICC, especially following the court's controversial decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza, charges both leaders reject.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Albanese, who serves as the UN Human Rights Council's special rapporteur on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, is facing sanctions for "directly engaging" with the ICC's prosecution of American or Israeli nationals.

"She is unfit for service as a UN Special Rapporteur," Rubio said.

The sanctions could prevent Albanese from travelling to the US and freeze any assets she holds within the country.

Responding indirectly on X, Albanese wrote, "[O]n this day more than ever: I stand firmly and convincingly on the side of justice, as I have always done." She also reaffirmed her commitment to the founding principles of the ICC, stating, "I intend to honor that tradition," referencing her Italian heritage and the country's role in establishing the court.

Though she declined to speak to the BBC directly, Albanese told Al Jazeera the sanctions resembled "mafia style intimidation techniques."

Rubio further accused her of promoting antisemitism and supporting terrorism.

"She has spewed unabashed antisemitism, expressed support for terrorism, and open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West," he said. 

Albanese has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights and has consistently criticised the role of Western governments in what she views as the failure to uphold international law in the occupied territories. Her remarks have attracted both strong support and criticism.

In 2014, she controversially suggested that the "Jewish lobby" influenced US policymaking. She later expressed regret over the phrasing but rejected accusations of antisemitism.

Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard, a former UN Special Rapporteur herself, condemned the US sanctions.

"Governments around the world and all actors who believe in the rule-based order and international law must do everything in their power to mitigate and block the effect of the sanctions against Francesca Albanese," Callamard said.

Rubio alleged that Albanese had sent "threatening letters" to US-based companies, accusing them of complicity in Israel's actions and urging the ICC to investigate.

"We will not tolerate these campaigns of political and economic warfare, which threaten our national interests and sovereignty," Rubio said.

Earlier this month, Albanese called on dozens of multinational corporations to sever business ties with Israel, warning that their involvement could make them complicit in war crimes in both Gaza and the West Bank.

She accused companies of profiting from "the Israeli economy of illegal occupation, apartheid, and now genocide." 

Israel dismissed her claims as "groundless" and said her report "will join the dustbin of history."

Albanese also criticised Trump's February proposal to resettle Gaza's population elsewhere, calling it "unlawful, immoral and... completely irresponsible."

The announcement of the sanctions coincided with Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit to Washington, where he was formally welcomed at the Pentagon.

In a prior interview with the BBC in October, Albanese said, "I don't take these remarks and the defamation they carry lightly, but at the same time, I know this is not about me, as my predecessors knew that it was not about them. I also know these member states [making accusations of antisemitism] have done absolutely nothing to abide by international law."

While the United States and Israel are not members of the ICC, 125 countries are party to the Rome Statute and are obligated to uphold the court's rulings.

The US has staunchly opposed the ICC's actions against Israeli officials, while many European countries have said they respect the court's independence.

Israel's military launched a full-scale offensive in Gaza following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, which left 1,200 people dead and over 250 taken hostage.

Since then, Gaza's health ministry, run by Hamas, has reported more than 57,575 deaths. Nearly the entire population has been displaced multiple times, and the territory's infrastructure has suffered catastrophic collapse, including healthcare, water, and sanitation systems.