The United Nations human rights office has added 61 companies to its database of businesses connected to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The updated list contains 214 firms, most based in Israel, with others operating from 10 additional countries.
Among the newly named companies are Israeli agricultural chemicals producer ADAMA, which belongs to China-owned Syngenta Group; Israeli property investment firm Alony Hetz; and Spain-based logistics company Salvat Logistica. The firms had not immediately commented on their inclusion.
How the database is assessed
The UN reviews companies across sectors including agriculture, transport, hospitality, food and energy. Its criteria cover activities such as supplying demolition machinery, providing surveillance services or offering transport and other support that helps sustain settlements. Around 60 companies were assessed but not added because they did not meet the stated criteria.
The updated list also removed online travel firms Opodo and eDreams after a review found reasonable grounds to believe they were no longer involved in the activities that had led to their inclusion.
Israel disputes the database
Israel says the West Bank is disputed territory and has argued that the database unfairly targets businesses operating there. The UN considers Israeli settlements in the territory illegal under international law.
