Federal judge blocks US sanctions against UN expert on occupied Palestinian territories
Summary
A federal judge blocked US sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a UN expert on Palestinian territories, saying the sanctions likely violated her free speech rights. The sanctions were imposed after she criticized Israel’s war on Gaza and barred her from entering the US and using US banks.Key Facts
- Francesca Albanese is a UN special rapporteur on the Israel-occupied Palestinian territories.
- The Trump administration imposed sanctions on her in July 2025 after she criticized Israel’s war on Gaza.
- Sanctions prevented Albanese from entering the US and using American banks.
- Albanese recommended that the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate war crimes by Israeli and US nationals.
- Her husband and US citizen daughter sued the US government, saying the sanctions hurt their daily life.
- US District Judge Richard Leon ruled that Albanese’s free speech rights were likely violated, despite her living outside the US.
- The judge said Albanese’s actions were protected speech and only her opinion, not official ICC decisions.
- Albanese said the sanctions are part of a US effort to weaken international accountability.
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