A UN report brands several major corporations as complicit in alleged war crimes, igniting calls for disinvestment and renewed scrutiny of corporate ties to Israel amid ongoing violence in Gaza.
UN Expert Urges Companies to Cease Partnerships with Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
UN Expert Urges Companies to Cease Partnerships with Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
Francesca Albanese highlights risks of complicity in war crimes for firms involved with Israel.
The article text:
A United Nations expert, Francesca Albanese, has called upon numerous multinational companies to terminate their business relations with Israel, warning of potential complicity in war crimes unfolding in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Presenting her findings to the UN Human Rights Council, she characterized the situation as an "economy of genocide," indicating that the conflict with Hamas serves as a testing ground for new weaponry and technologies devoid of any accountability.
Israel has firmly rejected Albanese's report, labeling it "groundless" and asserting that it would "join the dustbin of history." UN experts, or special rapporteurs like Albanese, operate independently and are appointed to address human rights issues. Known for her candid approach, Albanese has previously asserted that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, a claim she reiterated during her report presentation, calling it "one of the cruellest genocides in modern history."
In her assessment, Albanese identifies multiple companies profiting from and, therefore, complicit in the alleged war crimes occurring in Gaza. Notable names include arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin for its weapon sales and prominent tech firms such as Alphabet, IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon for providing technology that facilitates Israel's surveillance and targeting of Palestinians. The report also implicates companies like Caterpillar, Hyundai, and Volvo, alleging their vehicles are utilized for demolishing homes and devastated neighborhoods. Financial firms, including BNP Paribas and Barclays, are cited for underwriting Israeli treasury bonds amid the conflict.
The BBC has reached out to the mentioned companies for their responses. Lockheed Martin noted that foreign military sales occur through government contracts and would prefer such discussions be directed to the U.S. government. Volvo, disagreeing with Albanese’s criticisms, referred to them as based on "insufficient and partly incorrect information" while emphasizing their commitment to human rights. They acknowledged limitations in control over product usage due to long life cycles and frequent ownership changes.
While the profit margins for these companies are vast, Albanese urges them to immediately halt all dealings with Israel. The legal ramifications concerning genocide are stringent, necessitating a court determination. However, there is an ongoing case against Israel regarding this matter at the International Court of Justice, instigated by South Africa.
The definition of complicity refers to actions that can foreseeably contribute to genocide, even without intent. Albanese suggests that any businesses involved in providing support to Israel's military efforts could face such accusations. International legal advisories have cautioned European governments that ongoing arms sales to Israel could possibly lead to charges of complicity.
Israel, often accusing Albanese of extreme bias and antisemitism, has denounced her report as "groundless" and defamatory, asserting its right to self-defense against Hamas. Conversely, Albanese’s report received significant backing from member states in Africa, Asia, and the Arab world, with many endorsing her disinvestment calls and acknowledging that genocide is in progress.
Although traditional European allies of Israel condemned the withholding of aid to Gaza, reaffirming Israel's legal obligations as an occupying force, the United States—Israel’s strongest ally—exited the UN Human Rights Council during Donald Trump’s presidency and regarded Albanese’s assertions as part of an "unacceptable campaign" against U.S. and global economic interests.
While it remains uncertain how the current U.S. administration will respond to Albanese's report, the implicated American corporations may soon reevaluate their connections to Israel in light of widespread international dissent.
A United Nations expert, Francesca Albanese, has called upon numerous multinational companies to terminate their business relations with Israel, warning of potential complicity in war crimes unfolding in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Presenting her findings to the UN Human Rights Council, she characterized the situation as an "economy of genocide," indicating that the conflict with Hamas serves as a testing ground for new weaponry and technologies devoid of any accountability.
Israel has firmly rejected Albanese's report, labeling it "groundless" and asserting that it would "join the dustbin of history." UN experts, or special rapporteurs like Albanese, operate independently and are appointed to address human rights issues. Known for her candid approach, Albanese has previously asserted that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, a claim she reiterated during her report presentation, calling it "one of the cruellest genocides in modern history."
In her assessment, Albanese identifies multiple companies profiting from and, therefore, complicit in the alleged war crimes occurring in Gaza. Notable names include arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin for its weapon sales and prominent tech firms such as Alphabet, IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon for providing technology that facilitates Israel's surveillance and targeting of Palestinians. The report also implicates companies like Caterpillar, Hyundai, and Volvo, alleging their vehicles are utilized for demolishing homes and devastated neighborhoods. Financial firms, including BNP Paribas and Barclays, are cited for underwriting Israeli treasury bonds amid the conflict.
The BBC has reached out to the mentioned companies for their responses. Lockheed Martin noted that foreign military sales occur through government contracts and would prefer such discussions be directed to the U.S. government. Volvo, disagreeing with Albanese’s criticisms, referred to them as based on "insufficient and partly incorrect information" while emphasizing their commitment to human rights. They acknowledged limitations in control over product usage due to long life cycles and frequent ownership changes.
While the profit margins for these companies are vast, Albanese urges them to immediately halt all dealings with Israel. The legal ramifications concerning genocide are stringent, necessitating a court determination. However, there is an ongoing case against Israel regarding this matter at the International Court of Justice, instigated by South Africa.
The definition of complicity refers to actions that can foreseeably contribute to genocide, even without intent. Albanese suggests that any businesses involved in providing support to Israel's military efforts could face such accusations. International legal advisories have cautioned European governments that ongoing arms sales to Israel could possibly lead to charges of complicity.
Israel, often accusing Albanese of extreme bias and antisemitism, has denounced her report as "groundless" and defamatory, asserting its right to self-defense against Hamas. Conversely, Albanese’s report received significant backing from member states in Africa, Asia, and the Arab world, with many endorsing her disinvestment calls and acknowledging that genocide is in progress.
Although traditional European allies of Israel condemned the withholding of aid to Gaza, reaffirming Israel's legal obligations as an occupying force, the United States—Israel’s strongest ally—exited the UN Human Rights Council during Donald Trump’s presidency and regarded Albanese’s assertions as part of an "unacceptable campaign" against U.S. and global economic interests.
While it remains uncertain how the current U.S. administration will respond to Albanese's report, the implicated American corporations may soon reevaluate their connections to Israel in light of widespread international dissent.
