UN Human Rights Office Adds 61 Entities to Settlements Business Activities List

The UN Human Rights Office has updated its database of companies and entities involved in business activities related to Israeli settlements in the "occupied Palestinian territory," including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The latest update, released Friday, adds 61 new entities, bringing the total to 214 from 11 countries. Five entities were removed from the previous list.

Among the newly added Israeli companies are food producer Tnuva, irrigation company Netafim, transportation firm Ta'avura, Africa Israel, Alony Hetz, Energix, and Maman Cargo Terminals. The list also includes businesses associated with well-known brands like Aroma Espresso Bar, Burger Ranch, Cafe Joe, Carmel Winery, English Cake, and Teperberg Winery. Other additions span agriculture, energy, transportation, logistics, and services, including Israeli pesticide manufacturer Adama, which is part of the Syngenta group, and the Chinese company ADAMA Ltd.

International companies already on the list include Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, TripAdvisor, Motorola Solutions, and RE/MAX. Previously listed Israeli banks such as Hapoalim, Leumi, Discount, and Mizrahi Tefahot, along with Bezeq, Cellcom, Partner, and Mekorot, remain on the database. The list, established following a 2020 UN Human Rights Council mandate, was previously updated in 2023 and 2025. This update focused on companies in agriculture, transport, storage, waste management, energy, food, and hospitality.

For the first time, the database categorizes entities based on their level of involvement: perpetrating, contributing to, or directly linked to negative impacts. Of the 214 entities, 200 are categorized as contributing to negative impacts on the right to self-determination, and 14 are directly linked. No entity was classified as perpetrating. Tnuva is among the 14 entities classified as directly linked.

The UN Human Rights Office emphasized that the assessment focuses on the impact of business activities on the right to self-determination, not all human rights aspects. Activities examined include supplying construction materials for settlements, providing surveillance and security equipment, supporting settlement maintenance, and banking and financial services for settlement development. The use of natural resources, waste management, and economic activities affecting Palestinian markets are also scrutinized.

Two US-based non-profits, Friends of Ir David and HaYovel, were also added. The US opposes the database, viewing it as discriminatory and a potential basis for boycotts. The full list and update are scheduled for presentation to the UN Human Rights Council on September 28. The UN Human Rights Office noted that its review of additional companies is ongoing.

Israel has condemned the update, calling the database a "political tool" and a "distorted mechanism" used to promote a smear campaign against companies operating legally. The Manufacturers Association of Israel criticized the list as a political move that lacks legal standing and could harm Israeli exporters. They urged the Israeli government to actively support Israeli industry and exporters facing boycotts and political pressure.