UN Blacklists Dozens of Israeli Companies Over West Bank Settlement Ties

The United Nations Human Rights Office has added 61 companies, the vast majority of them Israeli, to a "black list" of businesses allegedly involved in human rights violations against Palestinians through commercial ties with illegal settlements in the West Bank. The database identifies businesses engaged in specific prohibited activities related to settlement activity in the West Bank.

Out of 126 businesses examined, 61 were added to the list. The office also found that five companies previously on the list are no longer involved in such activities and have been removed. The report urges companies to "fulfill their responsibility to respect human rights in accordance with accepted international standards" and to take appropriate steps to address negative human rights impacts.

Among the newly added Israeli companies are major firms such as Tnuva, Burgeranch, Africa Israel, Gihon (Jerusalem's water company), and Teperberg Winery. The black list, first published in 2020 following a vote at the UN Human Rights Council, aims to "expose and shame" businesses with ties to illegal settlements. The council has no authority to compel companies to act in a specific way.

Israel has vehemently rejected the report's publication, with its diplomatic mission in Geneva stating, "This database is intended to serve as a blacklist against businesses that have committed no wrongdoing." The mission urged allies not to succumb to this "ugly attempt" to blacklist Israeli companies.