A United Nations expert has called on major multinational companies to halt business dealings with Israel, alleging their involvement risks complicity in war crimes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Francesca Albanese, an independent UN special rapporteur on human rights, presented her report to the UN Human Rights Council, describing an "economy of genocide" where the conflict with Hamas serves as a testing ground for new weapons and technology without oversight.
The report singles out companies including Lockheed Martin for supplying weapons, and tech giants Alphabet, IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon for providing technology allegedly used to track and target Palestinians. It also names Caterpillar, Hyundai, and Volvo for supplying vehicles linked to home demolitions and clearing bombed areas, as well as banks like BNP Paribas and Barclays for underwriting Israeli bonds during the conflict.
Israel dismissed the report as "groundless" and accused Albanese of bias, with a spokesperson stating it would "join the dustbin of history." The US, a key Israeli ally, criticized the report as an "unacceptable campaign of political and economic warfare" against American and global businesses.
Lockheed Martin responded by noting that foreign military sales are government-to-government transactions, deferring to the US government for comment. Volvo rejected the report’s claims, citing "insufficient and partly incorrect information" and emphasizing its commitment to human rights due diligence, though acknowledging limited control over how its products are used.
Albanese, an Italian international lawyer known for her outspoken stance, reiterated claims of Israel committing "one of the cruellest genocides in modern history." She urged companies to immediately stop dealings with Israel, drawing parallels to global disinvestment campaigns that helped end apartheid in South Africa. While UN reports lack legal enforcement, they can influence public and corporate perception, potentially pressuring companies to reassess their ties with Israel.
The report received support from African, Asian, and Arab states, with many endorsing Albanese’s call for disinvestment and some agreeing with her genocide claims. European nations condemned Israel’s restrictions on aid to Gaza, stressing its legal responsibility as an occupying power to ensure Palestinian survival. The International Court of Justice is currently reviewing a genocide case against Israel brought by South Africa.
The BBC contacted the named companies for comment. The conflict continues to draw global attention, with recent reports of Israeli strikes in Gaza killing dozens and prompting evacuations, while ceasefire talks remain uncertain.
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