US judge blocks sanctions against UN expert Francesca Albanese

A federal judge in the United States has temporarily blocked sanctions imposed on United Nations human rights expert Francesca Albanese by the Trump administration over her criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza.

US District Judge Richard Leon issued a preliminary injunction on Wednesday, pausing the sanctions while the legal challenge against them continues in court.

In his ruling, Leon said the sanctions appeared to target Albanese’s protected speech and opinions regarding Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.

“Albanese has done nothing more than speak,” the judge wrote in his memorandum opinion, adding that her recommendations carried no binding authority and were “nothing more than her opinion”.

Albanese serves as the UN Human Rights Council’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, a role she has held since 2022. She has repeatedly criticised Israel’s military actions in Gaza and called for accountability over alleged human rights violations.

The Trump administration imposed sanctions on the Italian legal scholar in July 2025, accusing her of conducting “biased and malicious activities” against the United States and Israel. Officials also criticised her support for possible International Criminal Court investigations into Israeli and US nationals over alleged war crimes.

The sanctions barred Albanese from entering the United States, using American banking and payment systems, and restricted individuals and entities in the US from conducting business with her.

Earlier this year, Albanese’s husband and daughter filed a lawsuit challenging the sanctions, arguing they unfairly targeted her for drawing attention to alleged abuses against Palestinians.

The lawsuit stated the sanctions had effectively “debanked” Albanese and made it difficult for her to carry out normal daily activities.

Following the ruling, Albanese welcomed the decision and thanked her family and supporters in a statement shared on social media.

“Thanks to my daughter and my husband for stepping up to defend me, and everyone who has helped so far,” she wrote.

The case is expected to continue as the court reviews the constitutionality and legality of the sanctions imposed against the UN expert.