UN report blacklists 112 companies doing business in the illegal Israeli settlements. Majority are Israeli, with companies from the UK, USA, Netherlands, France, Thailand and Luxembourg.

On 12 February 2020 UN Rights Office released a Report on Business Activities Related to Settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (A/HRC/43/71).

“We welcome the release of the UN database of companies involved in Israeli settlements and thank the UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet for fulfilling the mandate given by the UN Human Rights Council in 2016 to prepare and release this database.” – comments Dr. Saeb Erekat. He called upon all companies “to end their complicity in the denial of our inalienable right to self-determination.”

Foreign Minister Riyad Malki welcomed the issuance of the long-awaited for UN report which was expected to be published in 2019 but was delayed over similar concerns, namely that companies appearing in the document could be subject to boycotts or divestment as a result of international pressure to prohibit trade with illegal settlements. He emphasized that “world justice will enhance the rights of the Palestinian people, contribute to their steadfastness on their land, and protect their potentials and natural resources exploited by Israel, the illegal occupation authority.” Malki called on the member states of the UN and the Human Rights Council “to review and study this database and to advise, instruct and direct these companies to immediately end their work with the settlements since this work is considered a violation of international law and its codes.”

The list includes the floowing non-Israeli firms:

  • Booking.com – The Netherlands
  • Egis Rail – France
  • Expedia Group – US
  • JCB – UK
  • Opodo – UK
  • Tahal Group International – Netherlands
  • TripAdvisor – US
  • Alstom – France
  • Altice Europe – Netherlands
  • Booking Holdings – US
  • Edreams ODIGEO – Luxembourg
  • General Mills – US
  • Indorama Ventures – Thailand
  • Kardan – Netherlands
  • Motorola – US
  • Greenkote – UK