The US has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN’s top human rights investigator for Palestinian territories, after unsuccessfully pushing to remove her from her role. Albanese, a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, has accused the country of genocide and backed the ICC’s arrest warrant for Prime Minister Netanyahu. The move signals Washington’s firm stance against her criticisms, even as she operates under a UN mandate.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just bureaucratic infighting—it’s a sharp escalation in the US’s willingness to shield Israel from international scrutiny. By sanctioning a UN-appointed expert, the Biden administration is sending a clear message: even legal critiques of Israel’s Gaza campaign will face pushback. It also raises questions about how far the US will go to defend its ally, even as global outcry over Gaza grows. For critics, it’s another sign of America’s double standards on human rights.