US Sanctions UN Rights Expert Over Criticism of Israel’s Gaza War

US Sanctions UN Rights Expert Over Criticism of Israel’s Gaza War
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The Trump administration has announced sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur investigating human rights abuses in the Palestinian territories, in a move widely seen as retaliation for her strong criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Albanese, an Italian human rights lawyer, has repeatedly called Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza “genocide” — an accusation Israel and the US reject. She has also urged governments to impose sanctions on Israel and supported international court cases against top Israeli leaders.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Albanese’s “campaign of political and economic warfare” against the US and Israel would not be tolerated. Albanese dismissed the sanctions as “mafia style intimidation.” The UN Human Rights Council’s president expressed regret over Washington’s decision, urging respect for independent UN investigators.

Amnesty International called the sanctions “unjustified” and warned they undermine the UN’s human rights work. Israel’s retaliatory operations have killed over 57,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Critics argue the US is using sanctions and immigration crackdowns to silence dissent against its close ally as the devastating conflict nears its second year.