TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States government has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations (UN) special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, following her report that accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
According to Middle East Eye, the announcement was made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Rubio accused Albanese of launching a political and economic war campaign against both the United States and Israel. The sanctions were issued under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February.
The order permits US authorities to freeze the assets of individuals within the country and prohibits their entry along with that of their immediate family members. The sanctions on Albanese mirror those imposed last month on four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Allegations Against Western Companies
The move came shortly after Albanese published a report on June 30, 2025, alleging that more than 60 companies, including Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and others from the United States, Europe, and Asia, were complicit in Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
In the report, Albanese claimed that the occupation economy had evolved into what she called a genocidal economy.
"It's not the Israelis [who] are getting rich out of the genocide, it is that there are corporations, and there is an oligarchy connected to the defence industry, including in Europe and in the US, getting rich out of the genocide," said Albanese in an exclusive interview with Middle East Eye.
She urged the ICC and national courts to investigate and prosecute the executives and companies involved. Albanese also called on UN member states to impose sanctions and freeze their assets.
Rubio Accuses Bias and Anti-Semitism
As reported by Al Jazeera, Rubio accused Albanese of long-standing bias against Israel and said she was spreading anti-Semitism. He rejected her report as lacking a sound legal basis and criticized her recommendation to the ICC to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
"That bias has been apparent across the span of her career, including recommending that the ICC, without a legitimate basis, issue arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant," said Rubio.
The ICC has charged both Israeli officials with war crimes in Gaza, including the obstruction of Palestinian access to essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine.
Rubio also pointed to Albanese’s report highlighting the role of international companies in what she described as genocide in Gaza.
"We will not tolerate these campaigns of political and economic warfare, which threaten our national interests and sovereignty," said Rubio.
The announcement of the sanctions coincided with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, D.C., where he met with Rubio on the same day. The United States has previously urged the UN to dismiss Albanese from her position.
Despite this pressure, Francesca Albanese continues to serve in her role and remains one of the most outspoken UN officials condemning Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which she has characterized as genocide against the Palestinian people.
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