Who Is Francesca Albanese? Senior UN Rapporteur Faces US Sanctions For Work Against Israel

Last Updated:July 10, 2025, 17:43 IST

Francesca Albanese, an Italian international lawyer, has been working with the UN since her appointment in 2022.

Francesca Albanese reports on human rights situation in the Palestinian territories (Source: X)

Mark Rubio, the US Secretary of State under Trump 2.0 administration, has announced sanctions on UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese. Rubio accused Albanese of “illegitimate and shameful efforts" for criminal prosecutions against the US and Israel. “Albanese’s campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated," read Rubio’s post.

The sanctions come days after the US wrote an official letter to the UN to terminate Albanese for her engagement with “virulent antisemitism and support for terrorism". It read, “Ms Albanese makes extreme allegations, such as that the entities may be contributing to purported offenses including “gross human rights violations," “apartheid," and “genocide"."

Who is Francesca Albanese and what are her views on Israel?

Francesca Albanese is currently engaged with the United Nations as a Special Rapporteur on human rights situation in the Palestinian territories since 1967. Her work includes reporting in areas including the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. Appointed in 2022, Albanese works in her independent capacity as an unpaid employee.

In her reporting on human rights issues in Palestinian territories, Albanese has repeatedly criticised Israel, accusing the country of “genocide" and “violations of international law". Her views have been supported by several experts and human rights organisations.

In one of her recent reports, she has accused several international institutions and corporate entities is supporting the “illegal Israeli occupation and its ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza."

An international lawyer, Francesca Albanese said in a post hours after sanctions against her, “I stand firmly and convincingly on the side of justice, as I have always done. I come from a country with a tradition of illustrious legal scholars, talented lawyers, and courageous judges who have defended justice at great cost and often with their own life. I intend to honour that tradition."

In the past, Albanese has supported the Criminal Court’s proceedings against Israeli officials for war crimes. She has also urged countries to pressurise Israel for its acts against Gaza. Recently, she has requested the European Union to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

While the implications of the US sanctions against Francesca Albanese are not clear yet, it is possible that she might not be allowed to travel to the US in the coming time.

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