UN Expert Sanctioned by US Over Gaza Comments

UN Investigator Sanctioned by US Over Gaza Comments Says She Won’t Be Silenced
Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, says she was shocked to learn that the Trump administration had imposed sanctions on her, but remains firm in her criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Speaking with the Associated Press on Thursday while en route to the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, Albanese said, “This is not a sign of power. It’s a sign of guilt.” She accused U.S. officials of trying to silence her for standing with Palestinians who, she says, have no power but hope.
Sanctions Announced During Netanyahu’s US Visit
The sanctions were unveiled by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington to meet with President Donald Trump regarding a ceasefire in Gaza. The sanctions fall under Trump’s executive order targeting international legal officials critical of Israel and the U.S.
Albanese, a human rights lawyer from Italy, has described Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as “genocide”—a claim both Israel and the U.S. have strongly rejected. The State Department attempted to pressure the UN Human Rights Council to remove her from her post before resorting to sanctions.
Rubio defended the move, posting: “Albanese’s campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated.”
Defiance in Sarajevo
From Sarajevo airport, Albanese responded defiantly: “They cannot silence us all. They cannot fire us all. They cannot kill us all.” She added that the Trump administration’s actions were “not normal” and reiterated her message: “No one is free until Palestine is free.”
She also criticized the U.S. for embracing Netanyahu, who is facing arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. “They received him with honors while sanctioning those seeking justice,” she said.
Condemnation From Rights Groups
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric condemned the U.S. action as “a dangerous precedent” and urged engagement with the UN’s human rights system rather than punishment. Human Rights Watch and the Center for Constitutional Rights also objected to the sanctions.
While Albanese reports to the Human Rights Council—not the UN Secretary-General—the move underscores rising tensions between the U.S. and international human rights institutions.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The war between Israel and Hamas has now entered its 21st month. It began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Israel’s military response has killed over 57,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are now displaced, with widespread hunger and limited access to medical care.
Despite international outcry, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. For Albanese, the fight for accountability is far from over.
For author: Staff News
Courtesy of: Forbes
Source: AP News
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