UN releases list of 112 companies operating in Israeli settlements

Text by: RFI Follow

The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Wednesday (February 12th) released a list of 112 companies operating in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Michelle Bachelet claims that their activities are considered illegal by international law. An unacceptable position from the point of view of Israel and welcomed by the Palestinians.

Publicity

Airbnb, Expedia or TripAdvisor: these are three of the 112 companies listed on Wednesday February 12 by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. These companies agree to operate in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel. An occupation that is considered illegal by the UN.

UN Human Rights Office issues a report on business enterprises involved in certain activities relating to the Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in response to a specific request by @UN_HRC. Learn more: https://t.co/qDVrtFZKwV

Michelle Bachelet said she was aware that the subject was controversial. But the ex-head of state claims to base his report on facts. This document is not intended to constitute a judicial process, but it has been expected for three years to provide a database of all the companies engaged in activities related to the Israeli settlements .

Israel denounces "shameful surrender"

This list represents above all a " shameful surrender to the pressures of countries and organizations which want to cause harm to Israel ", immediately reacted the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcoming however the fact that "a majority of countries refused to join this campaign of political pressure ”.

For the Palestinians, it is of course a " victory for international law ". " Publishing this list (...) is a victory for international law and our diplomatic efforts to drain the wells of the colonial system embodied by illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, " said Riyad al-Maliki, the head of Palestinian diplomacy.

On Tuesday February 11, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was before the UN Security Council to reject the peace plan of Donald Trump , which is supposed to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A plan which notably plans to make Jerusalem the “ indivisible ” capital of the “ Jewish State ” of Israel.

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Download the app

• Israel
• UN
• Palestinian Territories

On the same subject

Reportage

Gaza: Egypt tries to ease tensions between Hamas and Israel

Mid-day guest

Israeli colonies: "The American position will not change that of the international authorities"