UN expands list of firms involved in illegal Israeli settlement activities
News Source
β’Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:21:57 +0000
π° What Happened
The United Nations human rights office has added 61 more companies to its list of businesses tied to illegal Israeli settlements. The list covers the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem. The UN published an 18-page report on Friday that explains why each company was added. It looked at 126 businesses in total.
That brings the list to 214 companies from 11 countries. Most are Israeli firms. Others are based in China, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom. Five companies named last year were removed in the update.
π The Backstory
The database is meant to track companies that do business in settlements. Most countries consider those settlements illegal under international law. They are Israeli communities built on land captured in 1967.
The UN says a company must take part in at least one of 10 banned activities to be listed. These include helping build or grow settlements, selling surveillance and ID equipment, and providing banking or utility services. The report says a firm must generally cause, add to, or have a direct link to these activities.
π― Why It Matters
The list names companies that ordinary people may shop from or work for. Being listed can scare off investors and customers, so it can push firms to change how they do business.
The United Nations human rights office has added 61 more companies to its list of businesses tied to illegal Israeli settlements. The list covers the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem. The UN published an 18-page report on Friday that explains why each company was added. It looked at 126 businesses in total.
That brings the list to 214 companies from 11 countries. Most are Israeli firms. Others are based in China, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, the United States and the United Kingdom. Five companies named last year were removed in the update.
The database is meant to track companies that do business in settlements. Most countries consider those settlements illegal under international law. They are Israeli communities built on land captured in 1967.
The UN says a company must take part in at least one of 10 banned activities to be listed. These include helping build or grow settlements, selling surveillance and ID equipment, and providing banking or utility services. The report says a firm must generally cause, add to, or have a direct link to these activities.
The list names companies that ordinary people may shop from or work for. Being listed can scare off investors and customers, so it can push firms to change how they do business.