“Her political and economic warfare campaign against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, announcing the measures.
Rubio cited Albanese’s “illegitimate and shameful efforts to pressure the International Criminal Court into taking action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies and leaders”.
Rubio noted that neither the United States nor Israel is a party to the Rome Statute, “which makes her actions a serious violation of the sovereignty of both countries”.
He further accused Albanese of “stoking antisemitism, expressing support for terrorism and showing contempt for the United States and Israel”.
Rubio claimed this bias has been evident “throughout her career, including in her recommendation that the ICC issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant”.
Albanese has repeatedly denounced what she calls a “genocide” in Gaza and has called for halting arms supplies to Israel, which she has accused of representing “the ultimate example of apartheid”.
Just to be sure, on this day more than ever: I stand firmly and convincingly on the side of justice, as I have always done. I come from a country with a tradition of illustrious legal scholars, talented lawyers and corageous judges who have defended justice at great cost and… https://t.co/Oytoeg5QMo
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) July 9, 2025
In recent weeks, the United States had demanded Albanese’s resignation after a report by UN Watch alleged that she accepted $20,000 in funding for her travels from groups linked to Hamas, in violation of UN rules of conduct.
Following the report, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice sent a letter to the United Nations urging the “immediate removal” of Albanese from her post, stating that her actions had “brought disrepute to the institution”.
UN Watch has been described as a “pro-Israel” body, even by Israeli media outlets.
ANSA
