Israel demands prison for UN rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, after court decision in the US

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Dany Dannon, asked to imprison the special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albaneseafter a United States federal court provisionally suspended the sanctions that the Donald Trump Administration imposed against it in 2025.

“No interim order will change the simple fact that Francesca Albanese is exploiting her position at the UN to carry out a campaign of political incitement against Israel and the United States,” wrote Dannon on the social network X. The diplomat added that the UN official “should be behind bars.”

The statements further raised diplomatic tension around Albanese, an Italian jurist who since 2022 has held the position of special rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council for the occupied Palestinian territories. During his administration, he has repeatedly denounced Israeli military operations in Gaza and described the Israeli occupation as “prolonged and illegal.”

Dannon accused Albanese of promoting legal action against Israeli and American soldiers and civilians before the International Criminal Court, in addition to spreading “lies and blood libels.” Also, he pointed out that she indirectly supported Hamas after the attacks of October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people died in Israel.

Federal court temporarily blocks sanctions

The political confrontation intensified after federal judge Richard Leon suspended the sanctions issued by Washington against Albanese. In his resolution, the magistrate maintained that “protecting freedom of expression is always in the public interest,” considering that the measures could represent an unconstitutional restriction.

The sanctions, imposed in July 2025, included a ban on entry into US territory and the entire blockade of financial assets under US jurisdiction. The Trump Administration argued at the time that Albanese had promoted a “political and economic war campaign” against Israel and the United States.

The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, harshly criticized the rapporteur for supporting initiatives before the International Criminal Court against the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahuas well as for promoting international sanctions related to the war in Gaza.

After learning of the court ruling, Albanese publicly celebrated the decision and assured that the sanctions sought to “undermine” her work as an independent expert of the United Nations. In a message spread on social networks, she thanked her family and those who have supported her during the criminal process for their support.

International criticism grows over the case

The actions against Albanese have caused concern among international organizations and human rights groups.. UN Secretary-General António Guterres previously called the sanctions “unacceptable” and warned that they could set “a dangerous precedent” for the work of independent UN experts.

Organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Survey also rejected the measures adopted by Washington, arguing that they represent an attempt to intimidate international officials critical of the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

The conflict in the Gaza Strip continues to generate international pressure on Israel and the United States. Although partial ceasefire agreements were reached in recent months, various humanitarian agencies and UN officials maintain that the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, while the death toll in Gaza now exceeds 72,000 people, according to reports cited by Palestinian authorities and international organizations.

Keep reading:

• Federal court suspends Trump sanctions against UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese
• UN special rapporteur calls on world to cut ties with Israel
• Luz del Carmen Ibáñez, the Peruvian judge of the International Criminal Court sanctioned by the US.