The United States State Department said that the recent removal of United Nations rapporteur Francesca Albanese from the American sanctions list is only a temporary legal step and does not signal a change in policy. The sanctions, first imposed in July 2025, targeted Albanese over efforts to push for International Criminal Court prosecutions against American and Israeli officials and entities.

Earlier this month, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction blocking the sanctions, ruling that the administration likely violated Albanese’s free speech protections. In response, the administration appealed the decision and stated it intends to restore the sanctions if a higher court overturns the ruling.

Albanese has faced ongoing criticism over what opponents describe as anti Israel bias, including past remarks about a so called Jewish lobby and statements characterizing Israel’s actions in Gaza. Israeli officials and several European foreign ministers have condemned her comments, while Albanese has denied accusations that she called Israel 'the common enemy of humanity.'