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The Trump administration is preparing to place sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, a U.S. official told HuffPost on Wednesday, signaling a significant move against one of the most outspoken critics of the ongoing U.S.-backed offensive in Gaza. The White House conveyed the directive to U.S. government agencies in recent hours, the official, who has direct knowledge of the matter, told HuffPost. The move is based on President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court and anyone assisting its work. The measure likely would bar Albanese, an Italian national, from traveling to the U.S., as well as block any assets she has in the country and likely complicate her work by deterring U.S. companies and others from engaging with her. It was unclear Wednesday when the sanctions would be unveiled and how extensive they would be. Albanese, a human rights lawyer, has been deeply critical of Israel’s punishing military campaign and urged international governments to pressure Tel Aviv for a change in course, including through sanctions. Hardline pro-Israel activists have condemned her and urged Trump to sanction her. The Trump administration sanctioned the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, in February, and he has since lost access to his Microsoft account and bank accounts in his native Britain. Trump’s order accused the ICC of “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel,” a reference to the court’s decision last year to indict Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant on alleged war crimes in the Gaza war. (The court also charged leaders of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.) Israel has denied wrongdoing by Netanyahu and Gallant and asked the ICC to withdraw its warrants for them. The new decision comes as Netanyahu is visiting Washington, and the U.S. and Israel are emphasizing their close ties. Spokespeople at the National Security Council, State Department and Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

 



The Trump administration is preparing to place sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, a U.S. official told HuffPost on Wednesday, signaling a significant move against one of the most outspoken critics of the ongoing U.S.-backed offensive in Gaza.

The White House conveyed the directive to U.S. government agencies in recent hours, the official, who has direct knowledge of the matter, told HuffPost. The move is based on President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court and anyone assisting its work. The measure likely would bar Albanese, an Italian national, from traveling to the U.S., as well as block any assets she has in the country and likely complicate her work by deterring U.S. companies and others from engaging with her.

It was unclear Wednesday when the sanctions would be unveiled and how extensive they would be.

Albanese, a human rights lawyer, has been deeply critical of Israel’s punishing military campaign and urged international governments to pressure Tel Aviv for a change in course, including through sanctions. Hardline pro-Israel activists have condemned her and urged Trump to sanction her.

The Trump administration sanctioned the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, in February, and he has since lost access to his Microsoft account and bank accounts in his native Britain.

Trump’s order accused the ICC of “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel,” a reference to the court’s decision last year to indict Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant on alleged war crimes in the Gaza war. (The court also charged leaders of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.)

Israel has denied wrongdoing by Netanyahu and Gallant and asked the ICC to withdraw its warrants for them.

The new decision comes as Netanyahu is visiting Washington, and the U.S. and Israel are emphasizing their close ties.

Spokespeople at the National Security Council, State Department and Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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