The latest report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), Francesca Albanese, shines a stark light on the role of major corporations allegedly facilitating Israel’s ongoing campaign against Palestinians. Set for presentation in Geneva, the report details a disturbing correlation between business interests and widespread human rights violations, accusing 48 corporations—including notable US giants such as Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet Inc., and Amazon—of breaching international law as part of Israel’s “pursuit of genocide” in Gaza.
As tensions escalate in the region, the findings paint a grim picture. The UN report asserts that the grave situation is not merely a consequence of military actions but has engendered a robust financial ecosystem that supports Israeli military operations. Notably, the research identified over 1,000 corporate entities involved in a framework that Albanese describes as a “lucrative economy of genocide.”
“[Israel’s] forever-occupation has become the ideal testing ground for arms manufacturers and Big Tech—providing significant supply and demand, little oversight, and zero accountability,” the report states. This system not only benefits arms manufacturers and technology firms but also indicates a troubling convergence of corporate profit motives and legal accountability—or the lack thereof.
Corporations implicated in military support
The report reveals that Israel’s procurement of military equipment, notably the advanced F-35 fighter jets, relies heavily on a global supply chain involving numerous companies. Lockheed Martin leads this effort, supported by Italian manufacturer Leonardo S.p.A and Japan’s FANUC Corporation, among others. These firms, along with tech companies like Microsoft and IBM, are said to facilitate a discriminatory regime that actively targets and monitors Palestinian populations through sophisticated data collection methods.
The document highlights how events since October 2023 have exacerbated the situation. The US software platform Palantir Technologies has reportedly deepened its involvement with the Israeli military, providing technologies designed for predictive policing and data management, further empowering military operations amid the violence.
Dual-use technologies and civilian companies
Beyond the military domain, various companies in civilian sectors have also come under scrutiny. Firms like Caterpillar and those producing agricultural technologies, such as Netafim, are accused of developing tools that double as instruments of occupation. These corporations not only profit from their products but also from the continued expansion of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land—an act that remains illegal under international law.
The report highlights that even rental platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb have listings for properties in these illegally occupied territories, underscoring the growing trend of ‘humanitarian-washing’—a tactic where companies present minimal ethical changes while still benefitting from controversial practices.
The corporations’ financial incentives
The financial ramifications of the conflict are profound. Since the onset of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, stocks within the arms, tech, and infrastructure sectors have reportedly surged, with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange witnessing a staggering increase of 179% in market value. With global investment companies, such as BlackRock and Vanguard listed among the main benefactors, enhanced scrutiny is likely to call forth significant implications regarding legal accountability for corporate actors.
Corporate liability and international legal standards
Francesca Albanese’s findings assert that corporations are not exempt from international law and have obligations to prevent human rights abuses within their business operations. The report argues that through their actions—or inaction—companies could face legal ramifications, including potential criminal liability at international courts.
By calling for divestment from activities tied to the illegal occupation, Albanese’s report aims to galvanise global efforts to hold corporations accountable for their role in perpetuating oppression and violence against the Palestinian people.