UN expert: 60+ companies support ‘Israel’s’ settlements, Gaza genocide
A UN expert names more than 60 companies, including arms and tech giants, for supporting "Israel's" settlement expansion and war on Gaza.
A United Nations expert has accused more than 60 companies, including major arms manufacturers and global technology firms, of contributing to “Israel’s” settlement expansion and “genocidal campaign” in Gaza.
The report was compiled by Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Albanese based her findings on over 200 submissions from states, human rights organizations, academic institutions, and companies.
Published on Monday, the report urges companies to cease all dealings with “Israel” and calls for legal accountability for executives involved in alleged violations of international law.
“Israel’s” mission in Geneva dismissed the report as “legally groundless, defamatory and a flagrant abuse of her office.”
“While life in Gaza is being obliterated and the West Bank is under escalating assault, this report shows why Israel’s genocide continues: because it is lucrative for many,” Albanese wrote in the 27-page document, accusing corporate actors of being “financially bound to Israel’s apartheid and militarism.”
Arms and tech giants accused of enabling Israeli war crimes
The companies named in the report span several sectors, including military, construction, and technology. Although the report does not always specify whether each firm is linked to settlement activity or military actions in Gaza, it emphasizes that their contributions play a role in enabling alleged war crimes.
Among the arms manufacturers listed are Lockheed Martin and Leonardo, whose weapons are reported to have been used in Gaza. Caterpillar and Hyundai are accused of supplying heavy machinery that contributed to property destruction in the Palestinian territories.
Tech companies such as Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM are described as “central to Israel’s surveillance apparatus and the ongoing Gaza destruction.”
Alphabet has previously defended its $1.2 billion cloud contract with the Israeli government, asserting it does not support military or intelligence operations.
Palantir Technologies was also named for supplying artificial intelligence tools to the Israeli military, though the report does not specify their exact use.
Report to be presented to UN Human Rights Council
The report expands on a previous UN database of firms involved in settlement activity, last updated in June 2023, and introduces new corporate actors allegedly tied to the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza
The findings will be presented to the 47-member UN Human Rights Council on Thursday. While the Council does not hold binding legal power, its investigations have, at times, contributed to international prosecutions.
Earlier this year, both “Israel” and the United States disengaged from the Council, accusing it of systematic bias against “Israel”.
