The US has slapped sanctions on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese over her investigations into alleged Israeli violations in the Palestinian occupied territories. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio slammed her efforts as a ‘political and economic war campaign’ threatening US and Israeli sovereignty. Albanese, an Italian lawyer, has accused Israel of committing ‘genocidal acts’ and called for arms embargoes and the severing of trade and financial ties with Israel. Her reports implicate over 60 companies, including major arms manufacturers and tech firms, for supporting Israeli settlements and military operations. Since Donald Trump’s return to power, the US has already cut funding to UN agencies aiding Palestinians and reduced its role in the UN Human Rights Council. This move escalates tensions between the US, Israel, and the international community, as Albanese continues to push for legal accountability and corporate responsibility. Is this the dawn of a new diplomatic showdown or just another episode in a long saga of conflict? Feel free to share your hot takes — are these sanctions justified or just over the top?
