UN Human Rights Council Adds 61 Companies to Blacklist Over Palestinian Ties

The United Nations Human Rights Council has added 61 companies to its database of businesses allegedly involved in actions that harm Palestinian rights, particularly those linked to Israel or settlements in the West Bank. This expansion brings the total number of companies on the list to 214. Israel has strongly rejected this move, calling it an "ugly attempt" to blacklist Israeli firms and accusing the UN of a one-sided policy against the country.

The council announced on Friday its decision to include the additional companies from around the world. According to UN officials, these firms were added because they are "involved in human rights violations against Palestinians." The blacklist, first published in 2020, now comprises 214 companies from 11 countries, though the majority are Israeli.

Israel's diplomatic mission in Geneva stated that the database is intended as a "blacklist against businesses that have committed no wrongdoing." They urged allies not to yield to this "ugly attempt" to blacklist Israeli companies.

Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, explained the decision in a statement, emphasizing that companies have a responsibility for human rights and are expected to conduct due diligence to ensure they are not involved in violations. Israel contends that the Human Rights Council has become a biased body, issuing harsh criticism and decisions against Israel while ignoring human rights violations elsewhere.