The UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has had punitive and abusive sanctions imposed on her by the Trump administration suspended by a US court.
In granting the preliminary injunction, the Judge presiding over her case affirmed:
Protecting the Freedom of speech is always just the public interest.
Hailing this victory for civil rights and freedoms, Albanese said:
Thanks to my daughter and my husband for stepping up to defend me, and everyone who has helped so far.
Adding:
Together we are One.
BREAKING! US court ha suspended the US sanctions against me!
As the judge says: “Protecting the Freedom of speech is always just the public interest”.
Thanks to my daughter and my husband for stepping up to defend me, and everyone who has helped so far.Together we are One. pic.twitter.com/z6L3tb7Esp
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) May 13, 2026
Francesca Albanese: ‘US court has suspended the US sanctions against me!’
This wonderful – and restorative – news from Francesca Albanese will likely relieve many across the world who draw inspiration and strength from her persistent courage to speak truth to power. Unsurprisingly, Albanese herself also clearly feels that relief. Bringing this case to the US courts was her daughter and husband, who evidently share her beautiful resistance to oppression and injustice.
The UN official posted the memorandum opinion put forward by the Judge presiding over her case against Donald Trump, in which it said:
Plaintiffs L.C., a minor, and her father Massimiliano Cali bring suit against various federal defendants challenging the designation and sanctioning of Francesca Albanese, their mother and wife, respectively.
Albanese is a scholar and author who has published widely on human rights issues, including on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Plaintiffs allege that defendants are sanctioning Albanese because of her speech – namely, Albanese’s non-binding recommendation to the International Criminal Court to pursue war-crimes prosecutions against Israeli and American nationals.
Plaintiffs allege that they are harmed by defendants’ sanctioning of Albanese and seek a preliminary injunction.
Finishing:
For the following reasons, I will GRANT plaintiffs’ motion.
We assume that this is where the Judge made the statement posted by Albanese, in which the court recognised that freedom of speech is – and always will be – in the public interest.
The interim decision by the US judge gives me respite but the battle is not over. ICC judges and Palestinian NGOs remain sanctioned with no recourse to justice. The stakes are incredibly high.
Please sign and share the petition: DEFEND THE DEFENDERS!https://t.co/DiWhUOx0Ks https://t.co/2GM7ihctz9— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) May 14, 2026
This is just a reprieve, the fight for justice is not over
Nevertheless, this is a preliminary injunction and we will undoubtedly see further attempts to push through this blatant move to censor officials or public figures who dare call out the murderous, genocidal regime of Zionist Israel.
Pushing back against Israel’s moves once again to place itself as the victim, despite its genocide of Palestinians, Albanese posted since the injunction:
Israel the victim???
If narcissism were a crime, this could be added to the lot to be considered by the court. https://t.co/iO1bTPw5do
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) May 13, 2026
True to form, Albanese once again refuses to centre her own hardship in this victory though.
Replying to a message showing concern for the “huge toll” this undoubtedly had on the UN official, she said:
What has taken a huge toll on me is the genocide of the Palestinian people, unfolding and still unrestrained. Seeing what men and women can do to other men and women, and children and older people, has been sickening.
We have extensively reported, and relied on as many people do, Albanese’s restoring and inspiring resistance to injustice.
In April, our own Skwawkbox wrote about how the Guardian still wanted to defend Israel despite speaking to Francesca Albanese about the lawfare being used against her:
Borger also fails to point out the illegality of the sanctions the US has imposed on Albanese. But he does at least give some attention to their impact on the steadfast UN volunteer. And that’s where Albanese’s courage is given chance to shine through. Trump’s sanctions are massive blow to any prospect of a normal life – Albanese is unable to use a credit card, is severely limited in access to banking and relies on cash lent by family members. Yet she is without self-pity, even as she honestly describes the blow and its injustice:
“It was bad. That sort of puts you together with mass murderers and drug dealers of international proportions. It was a paradox of facing one of the harshest forms of punishment without due process, because I’ve not even been afforded the possibility to defend myself. I’ve just been sanctioned without trial.”
Despite awareness of the serious risks to her own safety and that of her family, Albanese continues to use her position and influence to advocate for those rendered powerless – in stark contrast to much of the Western political establishment.
But the cravenness of corporate media makes the courage of those who do stand up shine all the brighter – and so it is here. Albanese freely admits that the impact of the sanctions has been “brutal” enough to make her pause and consider, but she is unbowed:
“That is when I started wondering: is it worth it? I have two kids. What if they harm them? I cannot take this responsibility. There is a lot that I’m putting on the line, but, at the same time, I don’t have any alternative. I still need to continue to throw water on the fire and I have a bigger bucket right now … and strong arms.”
The fight is not over until Palestine sees justice
Once again, this principled and brave official shows that her sense of justice is formidable and will take a hell of a lot to offset her moral compass. As a result, this will undoubtedly rejuvenate and inspire the millions across the world who feel disgusted, heartbroken, and appalled by Israel’s continuing genocide.
Moreover, those running for leadership in the Labour Party will do well to recognise the huge – and growing – solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians and their inalienable right to take back their homeland. This might run against the will of their backers and nefarious Zionist influencers, but they should remember it is ordinary people who see them elected.
It follows, then, that ordinary people have the power to remove the Zionist rot from our political establishment so that all lives can finally begin to matter.
After all, we have seen where hierarchies of human life can lead – whether in the Holocaust or in apartheid-era South Africa. But we have also seen the power of ordinary people to bring murderous, corrupt, and abusive regimes down.
Like Albanese proves time and again, that resistance to injustice must be unwavering.
Featured image via the Canary
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The UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has had punitive and abusive sanctions imposed on her by the Trump administration suspended by a US court.
In granting the preliminary injunction, the Judge presiding over her case affirmed:
Protecting the Freedom of speech is always just the public interest.Hailing this victory for civil rights and freedoms, Albanese said:
Thanks to my daughter and my husband for stepping up to defend me, and everyone who has helped so far.Adding:
Together we are One. BREAKING! US court ha suspended the US sanctions against me! As the judge says: “Protecting the Freedom of speech is always just the public interest”. Thanks to my daughter and my husband for stepping up to defend me, and everyone who has helped so far. Together we are One. pic.twitter.com/z6L3tb7Esp — Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) May 13, 2026Francesca Albanese: ‘US court has suspended the US sanctions against me!’
This wonderful – and restorative – news from Francesca Albanese will likely relieve many across the world who draw inspiration and strength from her persistent courage to speak truth to power. Unsurprisingly, Albanese herself also clearly feels that relief. Bringing this case to the US courts was her daughter and husband, who evidently share her beautiful resistance to oppression and injustice.
The UN official posted the memorandum opinion put forward by the Judge presiding over her case against Donald Trump, in which it said:
Plaintiffs L.C., a minor, and her father Massimiliano Cali bring suit against various federal defendants challenging the designation and sanctioning of Francesca Albanese, their mother and wife, respectively. Albanese is a scholar and author who has published widely on human rights issues, including on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Plaintiffs allege that defendants are sanctioning Albanese because of her speech – namely, Albanese’s non-binding recommendation to the International Criminal Court to pursue war-crimes prosecutions against Israeli and American nationals. Plaintiffs allege that they are harmed by defendants’ sanctioning of Albanese and seek a preliminary injunction.Finishing:
For the following reasons, I will GRANT plaintiffs’ motion.We assume that this is where the Judge made the statement posted by Albanese, in which the court recognised that freedom of speech is – and always will be – in the public interest.
The interim decision by the US judge gives me respite but the battle is not over. ICC judges and Palestinian NGOs remain sanctioned with no recourse to justice. The stakes are incredibly high. Please sign and share the petition: DEFEND THE DEFENDERS!https://t.co/DiWhUOx0Ks https://t.co/2GM7ihctz9 — Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) May 14, 2026This is just a reprieve, the fight for justice is not over
Nevertheless, this is a preliminary injunction and we will undoubtedly see further attempts to push through this blatant move to censor officials or public figures who dare call out the murderous, genocidal regime of Zionist Israel.
Pushing back against Israel’s moves once again to place itself as the victim, despite its genocide of Palestinians, Albanese posted since the injunction:
Israel the victim??? If narcissism were a crime, this could be added to the lot to be considered by the court. https://t.co/iO1bTPw5do — Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) May 13, 2026True to form, Albanese once again refuses to centre her own hardship in this victory though.
Replying to a message showing concern for the “huge toll” this undoubtedly had on the UN official, she said:
What has taken a huge toll on me is the genocide of the Palestinian people, unfolding and still unrestrained. Seeing what men and women can do to other men and women, and children and older people, has been sickening.We have extensively reported, and relied on as many people do, Albanese’s restoring and inspiring resistance to injustice.
In April, our own Skwawkbox wrote about how the Guardian still wanted to defend Israel despite speaking to Francesca Albanese about the lawfare being used against her:
Borger also fails to point out the illegality of the sanctions the US has imposed on Albanese. But he does at least give some attention to their impact on the steadfast UN volunteer. And that’s where Albanese’s courage is given chance to shine through. Trump’s sanctions are massive blow to any prospect of a normal life – Albanese is unable to use a credit card, is severely limited in access to banking and relies on cash lent by family members. Yet she is without self-pity, even as she honestly describes the blow and its injustice: “It was bad. That sort of puts you together with mass murderers and drug dealers of international proportions. It was a paradox of facing one of the harshest forms of punishment without due process, because I’ve not even been afforded the possibility to defend myself. I’ve just been sanctioned without trial.”Despite awareness of the serious risks to her own safety and that of her family, Albanese continues to use her position and influence to advocate for those rendered powerless – in stark contrast to much of the Western political establishment.
But the cravenness of corporate media makes the courage of those who do stand up shine all the brighter – and so it is here. Albanese freely admits that the impact of the sanctions has been “brutal” enough to make her pause and consider, but she is unbowed: “That is when I started wondering: is it worth it? I have two kids. What if they harm them? I cannot take this responsibility. There is a lot that I’m putting on the line, but, at the same time, I don’t have any alternative. I still need to continue to throw water on the fire and I have a bigger bucket right now … and strong arms.”The fight is not over until Palestine sees justice
Once again, this principled and brave official shows that her sense of justice is formidable and will take a hell of a lot to offset her moral compass. As a result, this will undoubtedly rejuvenate and inspire the millions across the world who feel disgusted, heartbroken, and appalled by Israel’s continuing genocide.
Moreover, those running for leadership in the Labour Party will do well to recognise the huge – and growing – solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians and their inalienable right to take back their homeland. This might run against the will of their backers and nefarious Zionist influencers, but they should remember it is ordinary people who see them elected.
It follows, then, that ordinary people have the power to remove the Zionist rot from our political establishment so that all lives can finally begin to matter.
After all, we have seen where hierarchies of human life can lead – whether in the Holocaust or in apartheid-era South Africa. But we have also seen the power of ordinary people to bring murderous, corrupt, and abusive regimes down.
Like Albanese proves time and again, that resistance to injustice must be unwavering.
Featured image via the Canary
By Maddison Wheeldon
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