US Reimposes Sanctions on UN Expert on Palestinians

The U.S. Treasury Department has reimposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, a UN expert on Palestinian territories who has harshly criticized Israel.

This move comes after an appeals court overruled an earlier order prohibiting the action. The sanctions blacklist her globally, making it impossible for her to use major credit cards or carry out bank transactions.

Albanese, an Italian national, has been a vocal critic of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in her role as special rapporteur on occupied Palestinian territories at the UN Human Rights Council.

The case was brought by Albanese’s husband, Massimiliano Cali, for their minor child who is a U.S. citizen. The sanctions were first imposed in July last year by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who accused her of antisemitism and support for terrorism.