Marco Rubio Hits UN Special Rapporteur on ‘Palestine,’ Francesca Albanese, with Sanctions

July 9, 2025

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that the U.S. had slapped sanctions on United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories [sic] Francesca Albanese.

In a statement on the State Department website, Rubio announced that he was “Sanctioning Lawfare that Targets U.S. and Israeli Persons.” He also posted a statement on x:

Secretary Marco Rubio

@SecRubio

Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt

@IntlCrimCourt

action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives. Albanese’s campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated. We will always stand by our partners in their right to self-defense. The United States will continue to take whatever actions we deem necessary to respond to lawfare and protect our sovereignty and that of our allies.

10:27 AM · Jul 9, 2025

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Albanese has a long history of radical anti-Israel stances that have veered into antisemitism. She was also recently accused of financial impropriety.

Watchdog group UN Watch had asked the Trump administration to sanction her. The Trump administration has also hit International Criminal Court officials with sanctions or trying to investigate and prosecute American and Israeli officials.

The sanctions were announced during the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. Netanyahu met with Rubio during his visit.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/07/09/marco-rubio-hits-un-special-rapporteur-on-palestine-francesca-albanese-with-sanctions/