Rubio Slaps Sanctions on UN Official for Targeting U.S. and Israel

The United States has taken a bold stand against Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian rights, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing sanctions on her for what he calls a campaign of political and economic warfare against the U.S. and Israel. This move signals a sharp departure from diplomatic niceties, as Rubio pulls no punches in addressing Albanese’s controversial actions.

Albanese, appointed in 2022, has stirred outrage with her repeated accusations against Israel, labeling its policies as apartheid and downplaying Hamas violence as "not surprising." Her July 2025 report to the UN Human Rights Council went further, suggesting the U.S. could be liable for international aggression due to President Trump’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. She’s also targeted American companies supplying defense tech to Israel, hinting they’re complicit in alleged crimes. A now-deleted 2022 post questioning the influence of "the Jewish lobby" on U.S. policy sparked accusations of antisemitism, which she later retracted.

Rubio’s sanctions have drawn praise from human rights advocates and Israeli leaders alike. Anne Bayefsky, President of Human Rights Voices, called the move a long-overdue response to Albanese’s virulent antisemitism and attacks on American interests. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar hailed it as a "clear message" to the UN, while Ambassador Danny Danon accused Albanese of undermining the UN’s credibility with false narratives. Hillel Neuer of UN Watch went further, calling the sanctions a historic first against a UN official and a triumph of justice.

The decision bars Albanese from entering the U.S., effectively curbing her ability to push her agenda on American soil. While the UN has yet to respond, the message from Washington is clear: actions have consequences, and the U.S. won’t tolerate attacks on its allies or interests.