The UN human rights office has added 61 companies to its blacklist of firms it says are involved in violating Palestinian human rights through business ties to Israeli settlements, bringing the total to 214. Israel has rejected the publication.
Key facts
- The UN human rights office added 61 more companies to its settlements blacklist.
- The updated list now totals 214 companies based in 11 countries.
- The vast majority of the listed firms are Israeli.
- Five of the 158 companies listed last year were removed in the latest update.
- Israel 'categorically rejects' the publication and says the businesses committed no wrongdoing.
The UN human rights office has added 61 more companies to a blacklist of firms that it says are involved in violating Palestinian human rights through business ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to the Guardian.
The updated database now includes a total of 214 companies based in 11 countries. The vast majority of the listed firms are Israeli, the Guardian reported.
The blacklist, which names and shames businesses with ties to what the UN describes as illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, has grown from the 158 companies listed the previous year. As part of the latest update, five of those previously listed companies were removed.
The human rights council maintains the database as part of its scrutiny of business activity connected to the settlements, which it says contributes to violations of Palestinian human rights.
Israel has firmly rejected the move. According to the Guardian, Israel ‘categorically rejects’ the publication and says the businesses named on the database have committed no wrongdoing.
The publication renews long-running international tensions over the status of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and the role that private companies play in the settlement economy.
Why it matters
The blacklist places international scrutiny on companies operating in or with Israeli settlements, potentially affecting their reputations and business decisions. It also underscores the ongoing dispute between the UN and Israel over the legality of settlements and their impact on Palestinian rights.
Frequently asked questions
How many companies are now on the UN settlements blacklist?
The updated database includes a total of 214 companies based in 11 countries, after 61 firms were added and five were removed from the previous list of 158.
Which countries and types of companies are on the list?
The listed companies are based in 11 countries, and the vast majority of them are Israeli, according to the Guardian.
How has Israel responded?
Israel 'categorically rejects' the publication and says the businesses on the database have committed no wrongdoing.