UN Expert Urges Companies to Cut Ties with Israel Over War Crime Concerns
A United Nations expert, Francesca Albanese, is calling on multinational corporations to halt business dealings with Israel, citing risks of complicity in war crimes within Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Accusations of an "Economy of Genocide"
Presenting her report to the UN Human Rights Council, Albanese described what she termed an "economy of genocide," asserting that the conflict with Hamas provides a testing ground for new weapons and technology, free from accountability.
Companies Named in the Report
The report identifies several companies allegedly profiting from, and thus complicit in, war crimes. These include:
- Lockheed Martin: For selling weapons to Israel.
- Alphabet, IBM, Microsoft, Amazon: For providing technology enabling tracking and targeting of Palestinians.
- Caterpillar, Hyundai, Volvo: For supplying vehicles allegedly used in demolishing homes.
- BNP Paribas, Barclays: For underwriting Israeli treasury bonds.
Company Responses and Historical Parallels
Lockheed Martin deferred to the US government regarding foreign military sales. Volvo stated it is committed to respecting human rights but has limited control over product usage after sale. Albanese draws parallels to apartheid-era South Africa, suggesting consumer pressure could force disinvestment.
The Genocide Case and Potential Complicity
The International Court of Justice is currently considering a genocide case against Israel. Complicity is defined as actions whose foreseeable results may contribute to genocide, even without intent to commit it. Albanese suggests businesses selling anything contributing to Israel's war effort could face such accusations.
Reactions and Implications
Israel has rejected the report as biased. African, Asian, and Arab states supported Albanese's call for disinvestment. European states criticized the denial of aid to Gaza. The US dismissed the report as politically motivated. The named companies, facing condemnation from numerous countries, may reconsider their ties with Israel.
