UN Report Accuses Over 60 Companies of Complicity in Israeli Actions in Gaza

A recent report from a UN expert names more than 60 companies, which include prominent arms manufacturers and technology firms, alleging their complicity in supporting Israeli actions and settlements in Gaza. Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, authored the document, synthesizing information from over 200 sources, including states, human-rights organizations, companies, and scholars. She characterizes the situation in Gaza as a "genocidal campaign" and emphasizes the need for companies to cease their operations with Israel.

The report argues that corporate involvement is profiting from the violence in the region, making life in Gaza increasingly unlivable. It proposes legal accountability for business executives implicated in actions contravening international law. Albanese highlights the financial ties many corporations have with Israeli apartheid and militarism. The Israeli mission in Geneva has dismissed the report as "legally groundless" and defamatory, while the U.S. mission to the UN has called for Albanese’s removal, accusing her of economic warfare against various global companies.

Despite Israel's denials of committing genocide, claiming self-defense following the Hamas attack on October 7, the conflict has resulted in a devastating death toll in Gaza. The report categorizes the implicated companies by sector but does not always clarify their connections to the alleged misconduct. Notable firms like Lockheed Martin and Leonardo, named for their weapons' use in Gaza, were among those mentioned, while companies such as Caterpillar and HD Hyundai were cited for their equipment's role in property destruction. Lockheed Martin claimed that discussions about foreign military sales are better suited for the U.S. government, reflecting the complexity of the issue at hand.

Technology corporations such as Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM have also been flagged as integral to Israel's surveillance operations. Alphabet has defended its contracts with the Israeli government, asserting they are not intended for military use. The report enhances a previous UN database concerning businesses associated with Israeli settlements and will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council, which, despite lacking binding authority, can provide valuable insights for potential international prosecutions. Notably, Israel and the United States have distanced themselves from the Council amidst claims of bias.