The State Department confirmed that sanctions have been imposed on UN official Francesca Albanese over her alleged efforts targeting U.S. and Israeli officials through the ICC. This action comes as the Biden-era administration has taken a firmer stance against what they describe as ‘lawfare’ and ‘illegitimate ICC overreach.’ The sanctions mark a significant development in the ongoing tension between the U.S. and the UN, particularly regarding issues related to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions, stating that Albanese’s campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated. In a statement on X, Rubio emphasized the U.S. commitment to standing by its partners in their right to self-defense. His words reflect a broader conservative sentiment within the administration that has increasingly viewed the UN as an obstacle to national interests, particularly with respect to Israel and its security concerns.
Albanese, known for her critical stance on Israel, has pushed to have U.S. and Israeli officials prosecuted by the ICC. Her actions have drawn strong criticism from lawmakers, diplomats, and human rights advocates. In recent reports, she has accused Israel of practicing apartheid and has dismissed Hamas violence as ‘not surprising,’ which has raised significant concerns about her alleged antisemitism and overstepping her mandate as a UN official.
Her controversial July 2025 report to the UN Human Rights Council claimed that the U.S. may be ‘liable for the international crime of aggression’ due to President Trump’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Additionally, in a now-deleted 2022 post, she questioned whether the ‘Jewish lobby’ controlled U.S. foreign policy, comments she later retracted amid accusations of antisemitism. These remarks have further fueled the controversy surrounding her role and the legitimacy of her actions as a UN official.
The response from Israeli leaders was swift and supportive. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar praised the move as a clear message to the UN, while UN Ambassador Danny Danon condemned Albanese’s efforts to undermine the UN’s credibility. The Israeli government’s alignment with the administration’s actions underscores the deepening rift between U.S. foreign policy and its dealings with the UN over issues related to Israel.
Human Rights Voices and the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust also lauded the sanctions, calling for the removal of Albanese from the U.S. and the UN. They argued that her actions pose a direct threat to the security and well-being of U.S. citizens. Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed disappointment over the sanctions, urging their reversal and calling for constructive engagement rather than punitive measures.
As the situation continues to unfold, the implications for international relations and the role of the UN in global affairs remain under scrutiny. The administration’s stance suggests a growing willingness to take unilateral measures against what it perceives as threats to national sovereignty and the security of its allies.