UN Adds 61 Firms to Database of Companies Linked to Israeli Settlements

The United Nations human rights office on Friday expanded its database of companies with business activities in Israeli West Bank settlements, which the international body considers illegal under international law. The update adds 61 new companies, bringing the total number of listed firms to 214.

Newly Listed Companies

The updated list includes companies from Israel and 10 other countries, including the United States, China, Germany, and France. According to a Reuters report, newly added entities include:

• ADAMA, an Israeli pesticides manufacturer that is part of the Chinese-owned Syngenta Group.
• Alony Hetz, an Israel-based real estate investment holding company.
• Salvat Logistica, a logistics company based in Spain.

Salvat Logistica told Reuters that its inclusion was "surprising and entirely inconsistent with the facts" and that it had not been informed of any investigation. A UN spokesperson stated that all firms were contacted and given an opportunity to respond before the list was published.

Market Impact and Corporate Response

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The database, first released in 2020, is closely watched by investors and activists as it can lead to boycotts or divestment campaigns aimed at pressuring companies over their ties to the settlements. Firms already on the list include major travel companies like Expedia and Airbnb.

While some companies face scrutiny, others have successfully been removed. The UN delisted British online travel company Opodo and Spanish-domiciled eDreams after a reassessment found they were no longer involved in the activities that led to their initial inclusion. Last year, eDreams confirmed it had stopped and would continue to block listings for accommodations in the settlements.

Broader Context and Official Reactions

The UN's criteria for inclusion focus on activities it says violate Palestinian rights, such as supplying equipment for demolition of Palestinian property or providing services that help maintain the settlements' existence. The update comes amid heightened tensions and an expansion of settlement construction.

Israel, which considers the West Bank to be disputed territory rather than occupied, has strongly condemned the database. In a statement on Friday, Israel’s diplomatic mission called the list a "distorted mechanism — created by a deeply flawed body with an automatic majority against Israel" and alleged its purpose was to "persecute" the state.