Family of UN official sanctioned by US over Israel criticism sues White House

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Source: The Guardian/AP

Thu 26 Feb 2026 12.53 EST
Last modified on Thu 26 Feb 2026 13.33 EST


The family of independent UN investigator Francesca Albanese has sued the Trump administration over US sanctions imposed on her last year for her criticism of Israel’s policies during the war with Hamas in Gaza, saying the penalties violate the first amendment.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in the US district court in Washington, Albanese’s husband and minor child outlined the serious impact those sanctions have had on the family’s life and work, including the ability to access their home in the nation’s capital.

“Francesca’s expression of her views about the facts as she has found them in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and about the work of the ICC is core First Amendment activity,” the lawsuit says, referring to the international criminal court. That tribunal has issued arrest warrants against Israeli officials, including the country’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, over allegations of war crimes.

“At its heart, this case concerns whether Defendants can sanction a person – ruining their life and the lives of their loved ones, including their citizen daughter – because Defendants disagree with their recommendations or fear their persuasiveness,” according to the filing.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/26/francesca-albanese-un-lawsuit-trump-sanctions

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“Francesca’s expression of her views about the facts as she has found them in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and about the work of the ICC is core First Amendment activity,” the lawsuit says, referring to the international criminal court. That tribunal has issued arrest warrants against Israeli officials, including the country’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, over allegations of war crimes.