Francesca Albanese defies US sanctions: ‘Intimidation tactics, but they won’t stop me’

The UN rapporteur for human rights in the Palestinian Territories denounces the Trump administration’s retaliation. In Parliament, a PD question asks the government to protect her. Boom in signatures for her Nobel nomination

The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian Territories, Italian Francesca Albanese, has described the sanctions imposed on her by the United States as ‘obscene’, considering them retaliation for her work denouncing ongoing violations in Gaza.

In an interview with Al-Jazeera, Albanese spoke openly of “mafia-style intimidation techniques” and reiterated that the sanctions will not hinder her commitment to justice and respect for international law. “They only work if those who suffer them are afraid. I have no intention of stopping,” she said, adding that she will continue her work “even if it will be a challenge”.

The Trump administration accuses her of collaborating with the International Criminal Court to initiate proceedings against US and Israeli officials and companies. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Albanese encouraged The Hague to take action against American and Israeli citizens.

Meanwhile, in Italy, the Democratic Party has submitted a parliamentary question — signed by Peppe Provenzano, Debora Serracchiani, Laura Boldrini and others — asking what measures the Italian government intends to take to protect the independence of international institutions and the rights of the UN rapporteur, an Italian citizen.

The text points out that Francesca Albanese, a lawyer specialising in international law, has been the UN rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 2022. Her official reports, approved by the UN, document systematic human rights violations in areas considered illegally occupied by Israel according to numerous UN resolutions.

An investigation published by Fanpage also revealed that since 5 July, the Israeli government has been promoting a Google campaign in Italy to discredit the rapporteur, accusing her of contacts with Hamas and violations of her mandate. In light of European legislation on combating disinformation (Digital Services Act), Democratic Party MPs are calling for government intervention.

Meanwhile, popular support is growing online: in just a few hours, over 15,000 signatures were collected on the mettilafirma.it platform in support of Francesca Albanese’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. The heavy traffic caused temporary slowdowns on the site, as reported by the press office of Alleanza Verdi Sinistra, the campaign’s promoter.

THE LATEST NEWS

• International-News

Iranian Missile Intercepted by NATO Towards Turkey Raises Regional Tensions

4 Marzo 2026

Ballistic missile destroyed over the Mediterranean after crossing Iraqi and Syrian airspace; fragment lands in Hatay province with no injuries...

Read More

• International-News

Chamberlain Visits Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Amid Succession Removal Speculation

4 Marzo 2026

Lord Richard Benyon holds private meeting at Wood Farm as constitutional questions intensify The Lord Chamberlain of the Royal Household,...

Read More

• International-News

CIA arming Kurdish forces to spark uprising in Iran

4 Marzo 2026

Report says Trump administration in talks with Iranian Kurdish groups and Iraqi Kurdish leaders as ground operation is discussed CIA...

Read More

• International-News

Khamenei assassination: surveillance and precision strike

3 Marzo 2026

An investigation by the Financial Times reconstructs the intelligence operation and air strike that led to the killing of Iran’s...

Read More

• International-News

Who Leads Iran Now After Khamenei’s Death

2 Marzo 2026

Tehran forms an interim leadership council to run the country following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei After...

Read More

• International-News

US-Israel strike on Iran delayed by one week

2 Marzo 2026

According to Axios, the operation was postponed for operational and intelligence reasons, leaving room for a final round of nuclear...

Read More

(Photo: © AndKronos)