The United Nations human rights office has expanded its controversial database of businesses, adding 61 additional companies to a blacklist of firms it claims are involved in violating Palestinian human rights through their commercial ties to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The blacklist, which was first established in 2020 following a vote by the UN’s human rights council, is primarily intended to “name and shame” businesses that maintain connections to these settlements.
While the UN human rights council lacks the authority to force companies to change their behavior, the office maintains that the list serves as a critical mechanism for accountability. Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief, stated that the report serves as a reminder to companies regarding their human rights responsibilities. He noted that businesses are expected to conduct due diligence to ensure they do not become involved in human rights violations or abuses. The UN office confirmed that all listed companies were notified of their inclusion and were granted a right of reply, though it remains unclear how the listing has impacted the financial status of these firms.
The Israeli government has issued a strong condemnation of the update. In a statement, the Israeli diplomatic mission in Geneva said it “categorically rejects” the publication. The mission argued that the database is designed as a blacklist against businesses that have committed no wrongdoing and urged international partners not to yield to what it described as an “ugly attempt to blacklist Israeli firms.”
This development follows recent international moves to restrict commercial ties with the region. Earlier this month, the United Kingdom announced a ban on trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing reports that “settler terrorists” are carrying out the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians. France and Canada have also announced that they intend to take similar actions.
