OMM Redaksiyası
The United Nations human rights office has added 61 more companies reportedly involved in activities linked to Israel’s settlements in the Palestinian territories to its database. Following the update, the number of companies on the list has risen to 214.
The update, announced on Sept. 25, covers companies from 11 countries. While the list mainly includes Israeli companies, businesses from other countries, including France, Germany, China and the United States, are also named. Companies operating in the agriculture, transport, energy, food and hospitality sectors have been added to the database.
Which companies were added to the database?
The new additions include Israeli pesticide producer “ADAMA,” China-controlled “Syngenta Group,” Israeli real estate investment company “Alony Hetz” and Spanish company “Salvat Logistica.”
The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment on their inclusion in the UN database. The list previously included companies such as travel agency “Expedia” and home-rental platform “Airbnb.”
UN assessment criteria
The UN assessed 126 companies as part of the latest update. Of these, 61 were added to the list, while five companies previously included were removed after they were found to no longer meet the established criteria.
The assessment is based on whether companies contribute to or are directly linked to adverse human rights impacts, as well as activities affecting the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. The UN said it had contacted the companies during the assessment process and given them an opportunity to provide additional information.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the report once again reminded companies of their responsibilities in the field of human rights. He urged businesses to conduct due diligence to avoid involvement in rights violations.
Israel’s position and international concerns
Israel has rejected the UN database, saying it unfairly targets the country. Israel’s diplomatic mission described the list as a “distorted mechanism” and claimed it was created by a body with an “automatic majority” against Israel.
The database has drawn the attention of groups campaigning for boycotts and the suspension of investment in businesses linked to settlement activity. Some companies have been removed from the list after demonstrating that they had ended activities meeting the UN’s criteria.
The update was announced amid continuing international concern over the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The United Kingdom, France and Canada have recently taken steps to restrict imports from Israeli settlements. Violence around the settlements and the expansion of new communities also remain sources of tension.
The Palestinian side considers the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza to be part of the territory of its future independent state. The international community regards the West Bank as occupied territory under international law and considers Israeli settlements built there illegal. Israel rejects the characterization of the area as occupied and considers it disputed territory.
