US Temporarily Removes UN Expert Francesca Albanese from Sanctions List, No Policy Change
The United States has temporarily removed Francesca Albanese, a United Nations expert on the Palestinian territories, from its list of sanctioned individuals. This decision, announced by the State Department, does not signify a change in policy. Albanese was sanctioned in July 2025 due to her efforts to encourage the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives. A federal judge recently blocked these sanctions, ruling that the Trump administration likely violated Albanese's free speech rights by imposing them after she criticized Israel's actions in Gaza. The U.S. government has appealed the court's decision. 
