Federal Judge Blocks US Sanctions Against UN Expert on Palestinian Territories
The judge found the sanctions likely violated her First Amendment rights after she criticized Israel’s war in Gaza and urged war-crimes cases.
- On Wednesday, District Judge Richard Leon temporarily blocked United States sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a United Nations Special Rapporteur, ruling the Trump administration likely violated her free-speech rights by targeting her after she criticized Israeli military actions.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio imposed the sanctions last year, barring Albanese from entering the United States or using its banking services, after she recommended the International Criminal Court prosecute American and Israeli nationals for war crimes in Gaza.
- Judge Richard Leon rejected the government's foreign residency argument, noting her 'extensive connections' to Washington warrant First Amendment protections. 'Albanese has done nothing more than speak!' Leon wrote in his opinion.
- Albanese's husband, Massimiliano Cali, and their daughter filed the lawsuit alleging the sanctions prevented normal life and interfered with their 'constitutionally protected' relationship. Albanese stated the ruling 'proves me right' and thanked her family for 'taking the risk.'
- Justice Department lawyers had previously argued Albanese lacked standing as a non-American, while the Trump administration claimed it issued licenses to provide 'necessary' support for the family, which the judge found too unclear to justify.
35 Articles
35 Articles
Federal judge suspends US sanctions against UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese
WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked US sanctions against Francesca Albanese, a UN expert on the Palestinian territories, saying the Trump administration likely violated her free-speech rights by imposing the measures after she criticized Israel’s war in Gaza. Albanese, an Italian lawyer who is UN special rapporteur on the Israel-occupied Palestinian territories, was sanctioned after she publicly criticized Washington’s…
Judge blocks Trump's sanctions on UN official accused of antisemitism
Federal judge freezes sanctions against UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese, claiming it violated the foreign national’s constitutional rights to free speech. By World Israel News Staff A federal judge in Washington temporarily blocked US sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, ruling that the Trump administration likely violated her free-speech rights. US District Judge Richard Le…
The US argues that Albanese promotes anti-Semitism and "lawfare", reiterating that sanctions are "legal and appropriate." More information: Francesca Albanese must go
The resolution considers that the punishment of Francesca Albanese for defending the intervention of the International Criminal Court against the Prime Minister of Israel may violate her freedom of expression
Court suspends US sanctions on Francesca Albanese - General News
United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese said Thursday that a court in the District of Columbia, Washington, has suspended the stiff sanctions imposed on her by US President Donald Trump's administration. (ANSA)
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