Stories
UN Blacklists 61 More Firms Over West Bank Settlement Ties; Israel Rejects Report
- •The UN Human Rights Office blacklisted 61 additional companies for alleged involvement in violating Palestinian human rights through business ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- •This latest update brings the total number of blacklisted companies to 214, with the vast majority being Israeli firms based in 11 nations.
- •Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, emphasized that the report serves as a reminder for companies to conduct due diligence and avoid involvement in human rights violations.
- •Israel "categorically rejected" the report, calling the database an "ugly attempt to blacklist Israeli firms" that have committed no wrongdoing.
- •The UN office advised listed companies of their inclusion and offered a right of reply, as Israeli settlements face increased scrutiny, with the UK, France, and Canada announcing actions against trade with West Bank settlements.
Key Questions Answered
The UN blacklist aims to name and shame businesses with ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank for violating Palestinian human rights. The report serves as a reminder that companies have human rights responsibilities and must conduct due diligence.
Israel has categorically rejected the publication of the report, stating that the database serves as an unfair blacklist against businesses that have committed no wrongdoing. The Israeli diplomatic mission in Geneva also called on international friends not to yield to this attempt to blacklist Israeli firms.
The United Kingdom banned trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing settler terrorists carrying out ethnic cleansing, while France and Canada announced they would take similar action. Additionally, the UK foreign secretary announced a ban on settlement goods and warned financiers and companies of potential sanctions.
