The United States has imposed strict sanctions on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese after she released a hard-hitting report accusing dozens of global companies of aiding what she described as an “economy of genocide” in Gaza.
UN Official Sanctioned After Naming Global Companies
The report, released on June 30, named more than 60 companies, including major U.S. corporations such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Lockheed Martin. It alleged that these firms were benefiting financially from Israel’s military actions and the continuing conflict in Gaza. Francesca Albanese called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and national legal systems to launch investigations and consider prosecuting the companies and their executives.
Her report also called on UN member states to impose sanctions and freeze assets of those linked to these business activities. She described how the war economy extends beyond Israel, saying, “It’s not the Israelis who are getting rich out of the genocide. It is corporations and an oligarchy connected to the defense industry in Europe and the U.S.”
Marco Rubio and Donald Trump Respond Swiftly
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions against Albanese, calling her campaign against U.S. and Israeli interests “illegitimate and shameful.”
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“Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her efforts to prompt ICC action against U.S. and Israeli officials, companies, and executives,” Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Rubio said Albanese’s actions amounted to “political and economic warfare” and warned that her accusations would no longer be tolerated. He also claimed that Albanese had written letters to multiple global companies, including those in finance, tech, defense, energy, and hospitality, accusing them of war crimes and suggesting ICC prosecution.
The sanctions block any assets Francesca Albanese may hold in the United States and could limit her ability to travel to or engage in business within the country. Because she is an Italian citizen, these measures could also indirectly affect her financial transactions within the European Union, given the strong U.S.-EU financial ties. U.S. sanctions often include secondary penalties, meaning that foreign banks or companies dealing with Albanese might also face U.S. punishment.
The announcement came on the same day that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Rubio in Washington, D.C., during an official visit. Sources told Middle East Eye that the move was expected and aligned with the current administration’s policy.
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Report Targets Global Corporations Beyond the US
Albanese’s report went far beyond just U.S.-based companies. The report identified companies from various countries, including HD Hyundai from South Korea, Volvo Group from Sweden, BNP Paribas from France, and Barclays from the United Kingdom. U.S.-based companies like Caterpillar and Airbnb were also among those listed.
In an upcoming interview with Middle East Eye, Albanese emphasized that the companies profiting the most were not necessarily Israeli. “There is an oligarchy…getting rich out of the genocide,” she said, referring to corporations tied to the global defense and tech sectors.
Earlier this month, the U.S. formally requested the United Nations to remove Albanese from her role. While she declined to comment directly on the sanctions, her position has made her one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza at the United Nations level.
She has also been highly critical of President Donald Trump’s recent policy to take control of Gaza and force the displacement of Palestinians, calling it a violation of international law.
As tensions continue to rise, Albanese’s report and the U.S. response have drawn global attention to the complex relationship between war, business, and international law.