In a groundbreaking report by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, over 60 global corporations, including tech giants, arms manufacturers, and financial institutions, have been named for their alleged role in supporting Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Titled “From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide,” the report sheds light on how these companies may be fueling a cycle of violence and human rights violations for profit.
The Corporate Web Behind Israel’s Actions
The UN report, presented to the Human Rights Council, accuses companies from the United States, China, Mexico, and beyond of enabling Israel’s occupation and military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. According to Albanese, these firms are not mere bystanders but active participants in what she describes as an “economy of genocide.” The report argues that corporate involvement sustains Israel’s actions by providing financial, technological, and material support.
Key Industries Implicated
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Arms and Defense: Companies like Lockheed Martin, a major supplier of F-35 fighter jets, are highlighted for their role in Israel’s military operations. The report notes that Israel’s procurement of these jets involves over 1,600 companies across eight nations, creating a sprawling network of arms suppliers.
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Technology and Surveillance: Tech giants such as Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, and Palantir are flagged for providing AI and surveillance technologies that bolster Israel’s military capabilities. Palantir, in particular, is noted for offering AI support to Israeli forces, though specific details remain limited.
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Financial Investments: Asset management firms like BlackRock and Vanguard are significant investors in companies tied to Israel’s actions. For instance, BlackRock holds substantial shares in Palantir (8.6%), Microsoft (7.8%), Amazon (6.6%), and Lockheed Martin (7.2%), while Vanguard is a top investor in Caterpillar (9.8%) and Elbit Systems (2%). These investments, the report claims, help sustain Israel’s occupation.
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Construction and Real Estate: Firms like Caterpillar are accused of supplying equipment used in the destruction of Palestinian homes and the expansion of Israeli settlements. Tourism companies, such as Airbnb and Booking.com, are also named for listing accommodations in occupied territories, profiting from illegal settlements.
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Energy and Agriculture: Companies like Chevron and Chinese-owned Tnuva are implicated for their involvement in resource extraction and agricultural operations in occupied Palestinian areas, further entrenching Israel’s control over these territories.
A Lucrative System of Exploitation
Albanese’s report emphasizes that Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank are not only politically motivated but also economically driven. “While life in Gaza is being obliterated and the West Bank is under escalating assault, this report shows why Israel’s genocide continues: because it is lucrative for many,” she writes. The report argues that corporate profits are intertwined with Israel’s “colonial racial capitalism,” where businesses benefit from the displacement and suffering of Palestinians.
The International Court of Justice’s July 2024 advisory opinion, which declared Israel’s presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem unlawful, provides a legal backdrop for the report’s claims. The UN General Assembly has since demanded that Israel end its occupation by September 2025, labeling it an “act of aggression.” Albanese argues that any corporate dealings supporting this occupation could constitute complicity in international crimes under the Rome Statute.
The Controversy Surrounding the Report
The report has sparked significant debate. Israel has rejected accusations of genocide, citing its right to self-defense following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Critics, including UN Watch and the U.S. Justice Department’s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, argue that Albanese’s report is biased and lacks legal grounding. They claim it unfairly targets companies for their lawful commercial ties to Israel and aligns with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
UN Watch, for instance, points out that the report mentions “genocide” 57 times but omits any reference to Hamas or the October 7 attack, accusing Albanese of promoting a one-sided narrative. The U.S. and Israel, having disengaged from the UN Human Rights Council citing anti-Israel bias, have called for Albanese’s removal.
Corporate Accountability in Conflict Zones
The report raises broader questions about corporate responsibility in conflict zones. Albanese calls for companies to sever ties with Israel and for executives to face accountability for profiting from alleged war crimes. This aligns with growing global scrutiny of corporate complicity in human rights abuses, as seen in campaigns targeting firms involved in conflicts worldwide.
The report’s database of over 1,000 corporate entities, built from hundreds of submissions, underscores the scale of private-sector involvement. Albanese argues that ending this complicity requires holding not just companies but also their executives accountable, a move that could set a precedent for how businesses operate in contested regions.
What’s Next for Corporate Responsibility?
As the report is set to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council, it is likely to fuel further debate about the role of businesses in geopolitical conflicts. For consumers, investors, and activists, it serves as a call to action to scrutinize the companies they support. The naming of high-profile firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and BlackRock may prompt divestment campaigns and public pressure to rethink corporate ties to Israel’s actions.
For businesses, the report poses a challenge: how to navigate operations in politically sensitive regions without becoming entangled in allegations of human rights violations. As global awareness grows, companies may face increasing demands to align their practices with international law and ethical standards.
Corporate machinery behind Israel’s actions
Francesca Albanese’s UN report pulls back the curtain on the corporate machinery behind Israel’s actions in Palestine, accusing over 60 companies of enabling a system that profits from occupation and alleged genocide. While the report’s claims are contentious and face strong opposition, they highlight a critical issue: the role of private enterprise in perpetuating conflict. As the world grapples with these revelations, the push for corporate accountability is likely to intensify, reshaping how businesses operate in conflict zones.
