A United Nations expert has issued a compelling directive to various multinational companies, demanding they cease doing business with Israel. Francesca Albanese presented her findings to the UN Human Rights Council, highlighting concerns that failure to act could implicate them in war crimes committed in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. She characterized the current situation as an "economy of genocide," where conflicts serve as unregulated testing grounds for advanced weaponry and technology.
Israel has dismissed her claims as "groundless," asserting these allegations will soon be forgotten. While UN experts operate independently, they are appointed by the organization to offer insights on human rights issues. Albanese, an outspoken international lawyer from Italy, reiterated her assertion that Israel is perpetrating one of the "cruellest genocides in modern history."
In her report, Albanese identified several corporations she believes are profiting from, and thereby complicit in, war crimes in Gaza. This list notably includes arms manufacturers like Lockheed Martin for their weapon sales, and technology giants like Alphabet, IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon, which provide technology facilitating the tracking of Palestinians. Further, companies such as Caterpillar, Hyundai, and Volvo are mentioned for supplying machinery used in demolishing homes and communities affected by bombings.
Financial institutions are not exempt either - Albanese charges banks like BNP Paribas and Barclays with aiding Israel by underwriting its treasury bonds during the ongoing conflict. The BBC reached out to the named corporations for their responses. Lockheed Martin emphasized that foreign military sales are government-led transactions, while Volvo disputed Albanese's views, citing a commitment to human rights and limitations in controlling product usage post-sale.
Albanese is advocating for an immediate cessation of business ties with Israel, stressing that corporations are benefiting financially and inadvertently enabling ongoing conflict. UN reports hold no binding legal authority, but they do draw notable attention. Albanese's focus on economic relations aims to echo the past global rejection of apartheid South Africa, which faced widespread condemnation that ultimately led to disinvestment and an end to its regime.
The hope is to raise public awareness among consumers who can potentially adjust their purchasing decisions based on the findings. The enterprises identified face the grave concern of being labeled as complicit in genocide, a severe legal claim contingent upon judicial determination. The International Court of Justice is currently deliberating a case against Israel on this charge, presented by South Africa.
While Israel has voiced resistance to Albanese’s assertions, claiming self-defense against Hamas rather than genocide, her report received endorsement from several African, Asian, and Arab nations. These countries expressed their agreement with the disinvestment plea and acknowledged ongoing genocide. Conversely, European nations have also condemned Israel for withholding aid to Gaza, reiterating its obligation as an occupying force.
The United States, a key ally of Israel, had distanced itself from the UN Human Rights Council under President Trump's administration. The U.S. response to Albanese's report has been to denounce her actions as an unjust campaign against the global economy, leaving doubts about further U.S. engagement with her findings. Nonetheless, as major American corporations named in the report observe international sentiments, they may reconsider their business relations with Israel moving forward.
