GENEVA – UN expands list of companies linked to Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories

GENEVA, September 25 /ATSH-DPA/ – At least 214 companies are contributing to the construction of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, according to an updated UN review published today.

The overwhelming majority of the companies are based in Israel, while the list also includes eight American companies, among them “Airbnb.” Also included is the German cement company “Heidelberg Materials.”

The list was published by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), on behalf of the Human Rights Council. It was created in 2020 and aims to identify companies linked to Israeli settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories.

The database also includes American travel and booking companies such as “Expedia” and “Airbnb.” Two companies from China, two from France and two from the United Kingdom are also on the list.

Other companies come from South Africa, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Mexico and Spain.

Israel has sharply criticized the UN database. Israeli authorities claim it was created solely to persecute the Jewish state and to wage a smear campaign against companies that, they say, have committed no violations.

These statements represent Israel’s position on the list and not an independent assessment by the UN.

According to a ruling by the International Court of Justice, Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law. The ruling is part of the legal framework underpinning the international debate on settlement activities.

This is the fourth update of the database. A year ago the list contained 158 companies, while now the number has risen to 214.

OHCHR is continuing to review reports on 596 companies received through 2024, while the assessment of 255 companies is not yet complete.

The UN office examines each case separately to determine whether a company is directly involved in settlement construction, whether it operates in occupied territories in cooperation with other companies, or whether it contributes to settlement construction through its products or services.