The United States has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian rights, following accusations of bias against Israel and the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision, emphasizing that Albanese’s actions, which include advocating for legal action against U.S. and Israeli officials at the International Criminal Court (ICC), will no longer be tolerated. Rubio stated that the U.S. remains committed to supporting its allies’ right to self-defense. Albanese has been a controversial figure since her appointment in 2022, frequently criticizing Israel and the U.S. In her reports and public statements, she has accused Israel of apartheid and dismissed violence by Hamas as unsurprising. Her July 2025 report to the UN Human Rights Council suggested that the U.S. could be liable for aggression due to former President Trump’s military actions against Iranian nuclear sites. Her comments have sparked backlash from various quarters, including lawmakers, diplomats, and human rights advocates. Albanese’s suggestion that American companies supplying defense technologies to Israel should face legal consequences has further fueled criticism. A now-deleted 2022 post where she questioned the influence of “the Jewish lobby” on U.S. foreign policy was widely condemned as antisemitic. Anne Bayefsky, President of Human Rights Voices, praised the State Department’s decision to sanction Albanese, citing her alleged antisemitism and attacks on American interests. Bayefsky argued that Albanese poses a threat to U.S. security and disregards UN principles. Israeli leaders have supported Rubio’s move, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and UN Ambassador Danny Danon expressing approval. Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, described the sanctions as unprecedented but necessary due to Albanese’s alleged Holocaust distortion and antisemitism. The UN has yet to respond to requests for comment on the sanctions against Albanese.