U.S. Judge Temporarily Blocks Sanctions on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese

On May 13, 2026, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a preliminary injunction that temporarily suspends the Trump administration’s sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories. Leon concluded that the measures likely infringed Albanese’s First Amendment free-speech rights because they were imposed in response to her public criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza.

Judge blocks US sanctions against UN rapporteur AlbaneseFederal judge suspends US sanctions against UN rapporteur Francesca AlbaneseA US court suspends Trump's sanctions against Francesca Albanese.US Judge Suspends Sanctions Imposed on Francesca Albanese – AL24 News

In July 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on Albanese under Executive Order 14203, accusing her of “unabashed antisemitism, support for terrorism, and open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West.” The measures barred her entry to the United States and froze U.S. banking access. Albanese, an Italian legal scholar, has served as the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza since 2022 and has called on the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged war crimes by Israeli and U.S. officials.

The HillUS judge suspends sanctions against UN rapporteur AlbaneseJudge blocks US sanctions against UN rapporteur AlbaneseFederal judge suspends US sanctions against UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese

Leon wrote that Albanese’s sanction targeted her speech and that the measures “punish and consequently repress unwelcome expression.” He noted Albanese’s “substantial connections” to the United States, including a U.S.-born daughter and Washington property, as enough for First Amendment protection. The State Department defended the measures as “legal and appropriate,” while a spokesperson said the United States would continue to condemn Albanese’s activities, calling her unfit for her role.

Judge blocks US sanctions against UN official who called for war crimes prosecution in Gaza

Rubio’s announcement labeled Albanese’s statements “antisemitic” and alleged support for terrorism. Some critics say she echoes Hamas talking points, while Albanese counters that “Antisemitism is real and has nothing to do with legitimate criticism of the state of Israel.” Observers have called the sanctions an effort to “weaken my mission.”

Federal judge suspends US sanctions against UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese

Albanese said the sanctions forced her to hide her identity, caused hotel reservations to be denied, and left her unable to use credit cards, bank accounts, or work. She described the experience as “embarrassing, humiliating, and a civil death,” noting that university collaborations were also severed.

Al Jazeera (website)

• “The United States will continue to condemn and oppose her biased and malicious activities, which have long made her unfit for her role,” — U.S. State Department spokesperson

The Hill

• “Albanese has done nothing more than speak!” — Judge Richard Leon

TruthOut

• “Thanks to my daughter and my husband for stepping up to defend me, and everyone who has helped so far. Together we are One,” — Francesca Albanese

Middle East Eye

• “Accusations like this are thrown (around like) confetti by people who care about Jews as much as they care about Palestinians and their own citizens,” — Francesca Albanese

The Hill

The injunction is temporary; the parties may seek a final ruling or appeal, and the case raises questions about the reach of U.S. sanctions when speech is the target.

Middle East Eye