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U.N. report names firms aiding Israeli settlements, Gaza

campaign

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Albanese calls for legal action against executives for

international law violations

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Israel denies genocide claims, cites self-defense against

Hamas

attacks

By Emma Farge

GENEVA, July 1 (Reuters) - A U.N. expert has named over

60 companies, including major arms manufacturers and technology

firms, in a report alleging their involvement in supporting

Israeli settlements and military actions in Gaza, which she

called a "genocidal campaign."

Italian human rights lawyer Francesca Albanese, U.N. Special

Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, compiled the

report based on over 200 submissions from states, human rights

defenders, companies, and academics.

The report, published late Monday, calls for companies to

cease dealings with Israel and for legal accountability for

executives implicated in alleged violations of international

law.

"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," Albanese

wrote in the 27-page document. She accused corporate entities of

being "financially bound to Israel's apartheid and militarism."

Israel's mission in Geneva said the report was "legally

groundless, defamatory and a flagrant abuse of her office". The

Israeli prime minister's office and the foreign office did not

immediately return requests for comment.

Israel has rejected accusations of genocide in Gaza, citing

its right to self-defense following the October 7, 2023, Hamas

attack that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages,

according to Israeli figures.

The subsequent war in Gaza has killed more than 56,000

people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and reduced the

enclave to rubble.

The report groups the companies by sector, for example

military or technology, and does not always make clear if they

are linked to settlements or the Gaza campaign. It said around

15 companies responded directly to Albanese's office but did not

publish their replies.

It names arms firms such as Lockheed Martin ( LMT ) and

Leonardo, alleging their weaponry has been used in

Gaza. It also lists heavy machinery suppliers Caterpillar Inc ( CAT )

and HD Hyundai, claiming their equipment has

contributed to property destruction in Palestinian territories.

Caterpillar ( CAT ) has previously stated it expects its products to

be used in line with international humanitarian law. None of the

companies immediately responded to Reuters' requests for

comment.

Technology giants Alphabet, Amazon ( AMZN ),

Microsoft ( MSFT ), and IBM ( IBM ) were named as "central to

Israel's surveillance apparatus and the ongoing Gaza

destruction."

Alphabet has previously defended its $1.2 billion cloud

services contract with the Israeli government, stating it is not

directed at military or intelligence operations.

Palantir Technologies ( PLTR ) was also mentioned for

providing AI tools to the Israeli military, though specifics on

their use were not included.

The report expands on a previous U.N. database of firms

linked to Israeli settlements, last updated in June 2023, adding

new companies and detailing alleged ties to the ongoing Gaza

conflict.

It will be presented to the 47-member U.N. Human Rights

Council on Thursday. Although the Council lacks legally binding

powers, cases documented by U.N. investigations have

occasionally informed international prosecutions.

Israel and the United States disengaged from the Council

earlier this year, citing bias against Israel.