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US sanctions UN rights expert for Palestinian territories
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WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced Washington was sanctioning the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese.
In a post shared on X, Rubio accused Albanese of making “illegitimate and shameful efforts” to prompt the International Criminal Court (ICC) action against “US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives”.
“Today I am imposing sanctions on UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her illegitimate and shameful efforts to prompt (International Criminal Court) action against US and Israeli officials, companies, and executives,” posted Rubio on social media.
At the same time, he also labelled the UN expert’s strident criticism of the United States as “political and economic warfare”, while also showing how strong the US-Israel bond is.
“Albanese’s campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated. We will always stand by our partners in their right to self-defence.”
Moreover, Rubio also warned to more action against the critics.
“The United States will continue to take whatever actions we deem necessary to respond to lawfare and protect our sovereignty and that of our allies.”
Meanwhile, the latest US sanctions to target the critics come as the Palestinians are not ready to accept the Gaza displacement plan put forward by President Donald Trump and strongly seconded by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
WHY FRANCESCA ALBANESE?
The UN official has been very critical of Israel ever since Tel Aviv started the latest killing spree in Gaza after the Oct 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas.
Earlier in March 2024, Albanese in a report said that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe Israel is committing genocide in the besieged Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip.
She said there are clear indications that Israel has violated three of the five acts listed under the UN Genocide Convention.
GENOCIDE IS PROFITBALE
Earlier this month, she shared another report – From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide.
The report, she said, “shows how corporations have fueled and legitimised the destruction of Palestine”. “Genocide, it would seem, is profitable. This cannot continue, accountability must follow.”
Meanwhile, it isn’t just about the US, as she is not afraid to name others for supporting Netanyahu, who is wanted by the ICC.
“The governments of Italy, France, and Greece must explain why they provided airspace and safe passage to ICC-wanted Benjamin Netanyahu, whom they are obligated to arrest.”
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