The United Nations human rights office released an 18-page report that significantly expanded its registry of companies engaged in activities associated with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem. The update added 61 newly identified businesses to the database, bringing the total number of listed firms to 214 operating across 11 countries. Of the 158 companies previously listed, five were removed in this update.
The majority of identified companies are Israeli-based, with others headquartered in China, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The UN’s assessment process evaluated a total of 126 businesses before determining their status for inclusion. According to the report, companies qualify for listing if they engage in at least one of 10 prohibited activities. These restricted activities encompass facilitating settlement construction and expansion, supplying surveillance and identification systems, providing financial services, and delivering utilities and support services to settlements.
The UN applies a standard of proof requiring reasonable grounds to believe a company participates in prohibited activities and causes, contributes to, or maintains direct links to adverse human rights impacts in occupied territories. This evidentiary threshold falls below the criminal court standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt, aligning instead with standards used by other UN fact-finding bodies. Following determinations of non-compliance, the organization contacts affected companies and permits them 60 days to submit additional information or clarifications. In the most recent review cycle, 14 companies provided responses, though the total number of contacted firms remains unclear.
Among the newly listed businesses are Spanish logistics firm Salvat Logistica and Israeli real estate investment company Alony Hetz. They join previously cataloged firms including travel platforms Expedia and Trip Advisor, home-rental service Airbnb, and telecommunications company Motorola. The UN’s action reflects ongoing international concern regarding Israeli settlement expansion, particularly following developments in the region. An advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s settlements unlawful, though such opinions carry political rather than legal binding force.
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