US says it has not changed its stance on sanctioning Francesca Albanese

Key points

• The Trump administration had sanctioned the human rights expert over her criticism of Israel but was forced to reverse course after a court ruling.
• The United States has denied that the cancellation of sanctions against Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur for the Palestinian territory, constitutes a change in the government’s policy.
• On Thursday, the Department of State clarified that the administration of President Donald Trump only removed Albanese from a sanctions list due to a recent court ruling.
• “The Government has appealed the court’s order,” the State Department added in its statement, before reaffirming its intention to return Albanese to the list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs).
• “In the event the DC Circuit stays or overturns that order, the Government intends to restore Ms Albanese’s name to the SDN List.” The Trump administration targeted Albanese with sanctions in July 2025, after she recommended that the International Criminal Court...