Francesca Albanese loses blue checkmark on X after US sanctions
The removal, which occurred today, marks the first reported instance of a UN official having their verified status removed from a major social media platform due to national sanctions.
This action follows a legal appeal sent to X's owner, Elon Musk, by a law firm representing the Geneva-based watchdog UN Watch on July 31, 2025.
UN Watch is often described as 'a lobby group with strong ties to Israel', and regulatory denounces what it says is anti-'Israel' sentiment at the UN and UN-sponsored events.
The de-verification comes after the US government sanctioned Albanese on July 9, 2025. These sanctions, enacted under Executive Order 14203, include freezing any US-based assets, prohibiting her entry into the United States, and banning US citizens and entities from providing her with goods or services.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified the sanctions by stating Albanese had "spewed unabashed antisemitism, expressed support for terrorism, and open contempt for the United States, Israel, and the West," specifically citing her efforts to "prompt the International Criminal Court (ICC) action against US and Israeli officials, companies and executives".
Albanese, an Italian human rights lawyer appointed UN Special Rapporteur in May 2022, has been a vocal critic of 'Israel's' actions in Gaza, asserting they amount to genocide and calling for an immediate ceasefire.
She recently issued a report identifying US companies aiding Israel's occupation and war in Gaza.
In response to the sanctions, Albanese dismissed them as "mafia-style intimidation techniques" and "obscene," reaffirming her commitment to justice and international law.
X's policy mandates compliance with trade laws, including US sanctions, stating that individuals or entities on a restricted sanctions list "can't purchase X Premium to keep your verification".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Jordan News
2 hours ago
- Jordan News
Japan's Ambassador Attends Launch of Phase Two of UNRWA Leadership Programme in Amman - Jordan News
Japan's Ambassador Attends Launch of Phase Two of UNRWA Leadership Programme in Amman Japan reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) during the launch ceremony of the second phase of the Leadership Excellence and Accountability Programme, held Monday in Amman. اضافة اعلان The initiative is implemented by UNRWA in collaboration with the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) and is funded by the Government of Japan. Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, Asari Hideki, attended the event and delivered remarks in which he expressed profound respect for the commitment and resilience of UNRWA staff, who continue to serve Palestinian refugees under highly challenging conditions. He emphasized that UNRWA plays an indispensable role in delivering critical services to refugees and reiterated Japan's unwavering support for the agency's foundational values: integrity, transparency, accountability, and neutrality. The event highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional capacity within UNRWA, particularly among its frontline managers, to ensure the effective and principled delivery of humanitarian services. The programme also aligns with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, emphasizing gender-responsive leadership and reinforcing broader efforts to promote governance, accountability, and neutrality within the agency. The Leadership Excellence and Accountability Programme, first launched in 2024, is designed to enhance the skills and performance of UNRWA's operational leaders. The second phase builds on the success of the initial cycle, continuing to promote best practices in operational excellence, accountability, neutrality, and gender sensitivity. Speaking at the ceremony, UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Antonia De Meo and Deputy Director for UNRWA Affairs in Jordan Kunal Dhar extended their gratitude to the Government of Japan for its consistent and generous support. They emphasized that the programme exemplifies UNRWA's institutional commitment to strengthening governance, increasing transparency, and advancing the agency's core principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. (Petra)
Ammon
3 hours ago
- Ammon
Japan's Ambassador: UNRWA plays indispensable role in delivering services to refugees
Ammon News - Japan reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) during the launch ceremony of the second phase of the Leadership Excellence and Accountability Programme, held Monday in Amman. The initiative is implemented by UNRWA in collaboration with the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) and is funded by the Government of Japan. Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, Asari Hideki, attended the event and delivered remarks in which he expressed profound respect for the commitment and resilience of UNRWA staff, who continue to serve Palestinian refugees under highly challenging conditions. He emphasized that UNRWA plays an indispensable role in delivering critical services to refugees and reiterated Japan's unwavering support for the agency's foundational values: integrity, transparency, accountability, and neutrality. The event highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional capacity within UNRWA, particularly among its frontline managers, to ensure the effective and principled delivery of humanitarian services. The programme also aligns with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, emphasizing gender-responsive leadership and reinforcing broader efforts to promote governance, accountability, and neutrality within the agency. The Leadership Excellence and Accountability Programme, first launched in 2024, is designed to enhance the skills and performance of UNRWA's operational leaders. The second phase builds on the success of the initial cycle, continuing to promote best practices in operational excellence, accountability, neutrality, and gender sensitivity. Speaking at the ceremony, UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Antonia De Meo and Deputy Director for UNRWA Affairs in Jordan Kunal Dhar extended their gratitude to the Government of Japan for its consistent and generous support. They emphasized that the programme exemplifies UNRWA's institutional commitment to strengthening governance, increasing transparency, and advancing the agency's core principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. Petra
Roya News
3 hours ago
- Roya News
'Israel' approves aid entry plan for Gaza via private groups
'Israel' announced plans to partially resume private sector trade with Gaza in an effort to reduce the territory's heavy reliance on humanitarian aid, according to the Civil Affairs Agency for the Palestinian Territories (COGAT) on Tuesday. COGAT explained that the initiative involves allowing a limited number of local merchants to trade under strict conditions. 'As part of formulating the mechanism, a limited number of local merchants were approved by the defence establishment, subject to several criteria and strict security screening,' the agency said. Since March 2, the Israeli Occupation has enforced a full blockade on Gaza amid its 22-month aggression on the strip. Although the blockade was partially eased in May to permit a US-backed private organization to operate food distribution centers, humanitarian needs remain severe. Last month, aid convoys and airdrops conducted by Arab and European forces resumed, following UN expert reports warning that famine is looming in the war-torn region. Under the new trade mechanism, private sector deliveries will be carefully regulated. Payments must be made through monitored bank transfers, and all goods will undergo inspections by the Israeli military before entering Gaza to 'prevent the involvement of the Hamas terrorist organisation,' COGAT emphasized. The approved items for trade will include essential food staples, fresh fruits and vegetables, baby formula, and hygiene products, marking a cautious step toward easing Gaza's humanitarian crisis.
