A federal judge has temporarily blocked US sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a UN expert on the occupied Palestinian territories, citing free-speech violations.
A federal judge in Washington issued a temporary injunction Wednesday to block United States sanctions against Francesca Albanese, an Italian lawyer serving as the UN special rapporteur for the Israel-occupied Palestinian territories. The ruling comes after Albanese's husband and daughter sued the Trump administration in February, alleging that the sanctions made daily life nearly impossible.
The judge, Richard Leon, found that Albanese’s residency outside the US did not undermine her protections under the First Amendment of the US Constitution. He also ruled that the Trump administration sought to regulate her speech because of the "idea or message expressed."
Albanese has faced harsh criticism from Israel and its allies for her relentless criticism of Israeli policies in Gaza, including accusations of genocide. In July 2025, she was sanctioned after publicly criticizing Washington's policy on Gaza.
In a statement posted on social media following the ruling, Albanese thanked her daughter and husband for their support: "Thanks to my daughter and my husband for stepping up to defend me, and everyone who has helped so far. Together we are one."
Judge Leon’s decision comes as Albanese continues her mission of advocating for international accountability mechanisms. She recommended that the International Criminal Court pursue war-crimes prosecutions against Israeli and American nationals.
UN special rapporteurs like Albanese are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council but do not speak on behalf of the United Nations itself. Their work often involves investigating human rights abuses in conflict zones, including those related to military actions such as Israel's ongoing operations in Gaza.
The ruling is a significant victory for Albanese and her supporters who have been fighting against what they see as an attempt by the US government to silence criticism of Israeli policies. The case highlights the complex relationship between international law, human rights advocacy, and national sovereignty in matters of conflict resolution and accountability.
