On September 25, the United Nations added 61 new companies to the list of those active in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. This list, considered a sensitive database, includes companies whose activities have been assessed as illegal. With this addition, the total number of companies on this list has reached 214, primarily belonging to Israel and also from 10 other countries including France, Germany, China, and the United States.
New Companies on the UN List
The newly added companies include Israeli agricultural pesticide manufacturer ADAMA, part of the China-based Syngenta group, Israeli-based real estate investment company Alony Hetz, and Spanish company Salvat Logistica. These companies have not yet submitted a request for comment regarding their inclusion in this database.
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Israel's Reaction to the New List
The Israeli government, which considers the West Bank a disputed territory, has previously stated that this list unfairly damages legitimate companies. The Israeli diplomatic mission has stated: "This is a distorted mechanism created by a severely flawed entity with an automatic majority against Israel."
The increase in attacks by settlers against Palestinians and the expansion of settlements has led countries like Britain, France, and Canada to block imports from the settlements this month. The United Nations has also assessed companies active in various sectors including energy, food, hospitality, transportation, and agriculture, identifying those involved in activities that violate the right to self-determination of Palestinians.
Meanwhile, some companies like the British online travel agency Opodo and the Spanish online travel agency eDreams have been removed from the initial list after submitting appeals. eDreams has stated that it has actively prevented the listing of accommodations located in illegal Israeli settlements.
Palestinians want the West Bank to be part of their future independent homeland, but the nationalist government of Benjamin Netanyahu has largely supported the settlers, especially following the attacks by Hamas on Israel in October 2023 and the ongoing war in Gaza.
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