Washington Lifts Sanctions on UN Rapporteur for Occupied Palestinian Territories Based on Court Order

SadaNews - The United States lifted the sanctions imposed on the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, who has been critical of Israel, based on a court order.

A notice on the Treasury Department's website indicated that the sanctions against Albanese, who had been globally blacklisted, were lifted, making it impossible for her to use major credit cards or conduct banking transactions.

Washington imposed sanctions on Albanese in July 2025 for her statements criticizing U.S. policy regarding the Gaza Strip.

Albanese, who took up her position in 2022, confirmed that Israel committed "genocide in Gaza."

Federal Judge Richard Leon suspended the U.S. sanctions on Albanese last week.

In the reasoning of his decision, Leon stated that "protecting freedom of speech always serves the public interest."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, when announcing the sanctions on Albanese last July, said she participated in "biased and malicious activities," accusing her of being "blatantly anti-Semitic" and of "supporting terrorism."

Albanese denies the allegations of anti-Semitism that were also directed against her by Israel.