Rubio sanctions UN’s Francesca Albanese over ICC push on 'Israel'
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sanctions UN expert Francesca Albanese for urging ICC action on US and Israeli war crimes, calling it “lawfare.”
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UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese at a press conference during a session of the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, on March 27, 2024 (AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday the imposition of sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, accusing her of launching what he called an “illegitimate and shameful” campaign to push for International Criminal Court (ICC) investigations into US and Israeli officials and entities.
In a statement published on X, Rubio declared that Albanese’s efforts constituted “political and economic warfare” against the United States and the Israeli occupation, vowing that such actions would no longer be tolerated.
Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt @IntlCrimCourt action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 9, 2025
Albanese’s campaign of political and economic…
“Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt ICC action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives,” Rubio posted. “We will always stand by our partners in their right to self-defense.”
'Whatever actions necessary'
Rubio, who has taken a hardline approach to international accountability mechanisms since assuming his post earlier this year, added that Washington “will continue to take whatever actions we deem necessary to respond to lawfare and protect our sovereignty and that of our allies.”
The sanctions are expected to include travel restrictions and the freezing of any assets within US jurisdiction. Albanese, an Italian legal expert and vocal critic of the Israeli occupation's policies in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, has previously condemned Israeli military conduct in Gaza and called for accountability under international law.
Her latest reports have focused on corporate and governmental complicity in alleged war crimes.
Albanese accuses tech companies of fueling Gaza genocide
A United Nations expert has accused more than 60 companies, including major arms manufacturers and global technology firms, of contributing to "Israel's" settlement expansion and "genocidal campaign" in Gaza.
The report was compiled by Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Albanese based her findings on over 200 submissions from states, human rights organizations, academic institutions, and companies.
Published on Monday, the report urges companies to cease all dealings with "Israel" and calls for legal accountability for executives involved in alleged violations of international law.
Arms and tech giants accused of enabling Israeli war crimes
The companies named in the report span several sectors, including military, construction, and technology. Although the report does not always specify whether each firm is linked to settlement activity or military actions in Gaza, it emphasizes that their contributions play a role in enabling alleged war crimes.
Among the arms manufacturers listed are Lockheed Martin and Leonardo, whose weapons are reported to have been used in Gaza. Caterpillar and Hyundai are accused of supplying heavy machinery that contributed to property destruction in the Palestinian territories.
Tech companies such as Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM are described as “central to Israel's surveillance apparatus and the ongoing Gaza destruction.”
Alphabet has previously defended its $1.2 billion cloud contract with the Israeli government, asserting it does not support military or intelligence operations.
Palantir Technologies was also named for supplying artificial intelligence tools to the Israeli military, though the report does not specify their exact use.
