British companies named and shamed by UN for profiting from Israeli ‘genocide'
Barclays, BP and a string of universities were listed by the UN in a report on Tuesday as entities benefitting from 'the Israeli economy of illegal occupation, apartheid and now genocide'.
The document was written Francesca Albanese, an Italian human rights lawyer and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Commenting, she said 'Genocide, it would seem, is profitable.'
The move marks the first time the UN has focused in on private businesses for links to Israel's attacks on Gaza and its activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Israel's relationship with the UN continues to deteriorate due to its criticism of the Jewish state's conduct of its war and its blocking of humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees.
The Israeli embassy in Geneva said the report was driven by the author's 'obsessive hate-driven agenda to delegitimize the existence of the State of Israel'.
In the document, Ms Albanese wrote that BP was providing crude oil to the Jewish state and was granted a licence in March to explore gas resources in 'Palestinian maritime expanses illegally exploited by Israel'.
Financial enterprises including Barclays were called out for investing in and underwriting Israeli government bonds, which the UN said was Israel's main source of revenue for its ballooning military spending.
The University of Edinburgh was highlighted as one of many British higher education centres with ties to Israel. It said the Scottish Russell Group university had invested £25.5 million of its endowment in tech giants 'central to the Israeli surveillance apparatus and the ongoing Gaza destruction'.
'The university ranks among the most financially entangled institutions in the United Kingdom' as it also has partnerships with firms involved with the Israeli military, such as Italian aerospace and defence firm Leonardo SpA, the report read.
The document focused on companies that have strengthened ties with Israel since October 2023, when it began attacks on Gaza.
It identifies a range of companies, including arms manufacturers such as Israeli firms Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, as well as the US's Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defence contractor, for providing military hardware from drones to fighter jets.
Major tech firms were also called out, including Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft and Palantir, for providing a range of services and software such as digital and biometric surveillance, artificial intelligence for military operations and predictive policing technology.
' Repression of Palestinians has become progressively automated, with tech companies providing dual-use infrastructure to integrate mass data collection and surveillance, while profiting from the unique testing ground for military technology offered by the occupied Palestinian territory,' the report read.
'While life in Gaza is being obliterated and the West Bank is under escalating assault, the present report shows why the genocide carried out by Israel continues: because it is lucrative for many,' Ms Albanese wrote.
'The complicity exposed by the report is just the tip of the iceberg; ending it will not happen without holding the private sector accountable, including its executives.'
Companies providing equipment such as bulldozers used to demolish Palestinian homes and infrastructure, such as Caterpillar, Hyundai and Volvo, were also named, as well as Keller Williams, a real estate firm, for developing and marketing properties in Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory.
Agriculture firms including Tnuva, owned by Chinese state-owned China Bright Food, were listed for sourcing products from Israeli settlements and for providing farming technology to support crop expansion in Palestinian areas.
A number of global pension funds were also named for investing in firms alleged to be complicit in Israel's activities, as well as tourism companies, such as AirBnB and Booking.com, for listing accommodation in Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Other energy firms mentioned include Chevron and Drummond from the US, and Switzerland's Glencore, which is used for electricity generation.
BNP Paribas, Blackrock and Allianz were also attacked for, like Barclays, investing in Israeli government bonds.
Sanction Israel?
The document will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday and is likely to anger Israel, which dropped out of the Council in February citing 'ongoing and relenting institutional bias against Israel'.
It makes several recommendations such as sanctions and a full arms embargo on Israel, as well as freezing the assets of 'individuals involved in activities that may endanger the Palestinians,'.
Companies, it says, should cease business activities linked to human rights violations and international crimes against Palestinians and pay reparations to them, 'including in the form of an apartheid wealth tax along the lines of post-apartheid South Africa'.
The report came after the UN issued a call for submissions last November to investigate businesses and entities involved in Israel's war crimes in Palestinian territory.
Some companies identified have earlier been highlighted by human rights groups and research organisations for alleged complicity in Israel's war crimes.
Glencore, Chevron and Volvo rejected the allegations. Blackrock declined to comment.
A university spokesperson said an investment advisory group had been established to 'inform the University's approach to responsible investment, carefully considering the diverse perspectives and concerns of our community.'
'We unequivocally condemn the violence and suffering resulting from events in Israel and Gaza in recent years. While our commitment as a global institution to act in accordance with our values is unwavering, it is essential that any actions taken are measured, responsible and fully consultive.'
The death toll in Gaza since October 2023 stands at more than 56,000 people, with an additional 132,200 injured, according to the local health ministry.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Hamas leaders in Doha ‘told to give up personal weapons'
Senior Hamas leaders in Doha have been told to lay down their weapons as part of a US-led effort to reach a ceasefire deal with Israel and bring an end to the war in the Gaza Strip. Hamas said on Wednesday that the group was studying a new ceasefire offer after President Trump said Israel had already agreed to a 60-day cessation of hostilities and the possible release of hostages while the two sides discuss a potential permanent truce. 'We are holding discussions to reach an agreement that will ensure the end of aggressions, the withdrawal of forces and granting aid to the people of Gaza,' a statement by the group read. The most senior Hamas leaders outside Gaza, including the lead negotiator Khalil al-Hayya and other key figures, have been instructed by Qatari mediators to turn in their personal weapons, The Times has learnt. Among those told to hand over their guns are the Hamas political bureau members Zaher Jabareen, a founder of the group's military wing in the West Bank, and Muhammad Ismail Darwish, who met the leaders of Iran and Turkey this year while shuttling between Cairo and Doha for indirect negotiations with Israel. The move is seen as symbolic as Israel has demanded the total disarmament of Hamas and that its remaining leaders in Gaza leave the territory as a condition to ending the war. As Israel's army advanced further towards taking full control of Gaza, Binyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, reiterated that Hamas must be fully destroyed to complete the war, saying 'Hamas will be no more'. 'We shall completely destroy them,' he said at a visit to an Israeli oil pipeline. 'We will release all the hostages, together with the destruction of Hamas. Contrary to what is said, these are not conflicting objectives.' Trump said on Tuesday that he hoped at least a temporary ceasefire could be declared as early as next week, when he is due to meet Netanyahu at the White House. Ron Dermer, an Israeli minister, had met Steve Witkoff, the US president's Middle East envoy, earlier in the day. In response Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, said Israel was 'serious' about bringing home the 50 hostages, both alive and dead, who are still held by Hamas, and about reaching a deal to end the war. 'We are serious in our will to reach a hostage deal and a ceasefire. We said yes to US special envoy Witkoff's proposals. There are some positive signs. I don't want to say more than that right now. But our goal is to begin proximity talks as soon as possible,' Sa'ar said. Citing an Israeli defence official and a Palestinian close to Hamas, the New York Times reported that the deal would involve the release of ten of the remaining living hostages and the return of 18 bodies still held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The release of the hostages and the return of the bodies would be staggered, with five groups over the 60-day period, the report added. However, Israeli negotiators have not yet been dispatched to Doha or Cairo, the usual sign that talks are under way. Although Hamas figures have been informally asked to leave Doha on two occasions, the country has hosted the group's political bureau since 2012. While Qatar is applying pressure to the negotiators in Doha, the final decision to sign off any deal lies with Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the Hamas leader in Gaza. An Egyptian plan endorsed by Arab states last year stopped short of calling for Hamas to put down their weapons, but proposed alternatives to Islamist rule in the territory. The group, which is designated a terror group by the US and the UK, started the present war by invading Israel on October 7, 2023, and massacring some 1,200 civilians and soldiers alike and taking more than 200 hostages. It is under pressure to accept a truce, with much of Gaza's civilian population homeless and starving. The majority of the strip is under Israeli control or subject to broad evacuation and displacement orders, as is the case in Gaza City where Israel's present operations are focused. The war has displaced almost all of Gaza's population as the humanitarian crisis deepens and the death toll climbs to more than 57,000 Palestinians killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. On Wednesday Israeli strikes killed a total of 40 people across the strip, including Dr Marwan al-Sultan, a hospital director, and members of his family.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Labour delivers mixed picture on environment after one year, campaigners say
Labour's environmental record after one year in office shows 'glimmers of hope', but concerns remain over nature and anti-protest policies, green groups said. Greenpeace UK and Friends of the Earth together assessed the party's progress on tackling the climate and nature crises ahead of Thursday, which marks one year since the general election. The two groups said the Government's overall environmental record is a 'mixed picture'. Assessing key policy areas, they rated the Government highest for its progress on climate and energy because of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband's efforts to reposition the UK as a global climate leader and oversee the UK's transition towards clean energy. But the campaigners also criticised decisions to invest billions into nuclear power, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and roads, instead of funnelling more money towards carbon-cutting measures. In terms of homes and transport, the groups welcomed investment in buses and railways, promotion of cleaner modes of transport and the requirement for landlords to raise energy efficiency standards. However, they criticised Labour's support for airport expansion and said more money is needed to decarbonise these sectors if the UK is to meet its climate targets. The Government fared worse on nature and the environment in the organisations' assessment. While moving to ban bee-harming pesticides, launching reforms of the polluting water sector and banning bottom-trawling in some protected areas, the campaigners said planning reforms that sideline nature in pursuit of growth have been particularly alarming. There has also been little progress on adopting laws to ensure UK companies do not contribute to illegal deforestation globally, nor the ratification of a UN treaty to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030, they added. The Government saw the worst rating, however, in the policy areas of justice and democracy, with the groups claiming there has been an increase in arrests and imprisonment of non-violent protesters. The campaigners also called for the introduction of taxes on the largest polluters through measures such as a stronger windfall tax on oil and gas profits, a frequent flyer levy and wealth taxes. Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said: 'There's no denying Labour has made some good progress on its clean energy mission, and it's extremely encouraging the Government remains committed to delivering on climate targets despite the breakdown in the political consensus. 'But where there have been some positive wins for nature, they've been overshadowed by false claims that protecting wildlife and vital habitats is hindering development. 'What has been most worrying is this Government's attitude to protest, which has seen it continue the last government's legacy of cracking down on dissent and encroaching on the right of us all to stand up for what we believe.' Reshima Sharma, deputy head of politics at Greenpeace UK, said: 'This Government's record is like a dance pattern with impressive forward strides and sudden backwards steps. 'A year in, this administration certainly deserves much credit for holding the course on climate action and fully backing renewables, as well as investing in public transport, but championing a third runway at Heathrow is a blot on their climate record. 'Tough action on polluting water companies, bee-harming pesticides and destructive fishing are all welcome moves, but the obsession with putting growth above everything else risks undoing some of the good work on nature protection.' The groups said improvement is needed across all four policy areas, arguing that action to protect the environment will actively benefit people's lives through cheaper energy bills, cleaner air, thousands of new jobs and a stronger economy. PA has contacted the Government for comment.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Rachel Reeves' five choices to turn government finances around
Chancellor Rachel Reeves' plan to cut billions of pounds in welfare costs through reforms has essentially gone up in major government concessions on the benefits bill, a forecast £5bn in savings by 2029-30 has been severely so closely after the U-turn on the Winter Fuel Allowance, the government has almost eliminated its £10bn buffer which it wanted to keep the public finances on track. So what are Reeves' choices now? As the Autumn Budget approaches, she has five options to change the financial situation. 1. Wait and see The government could decide to wait and see if the UK economy grows by more than expected and debt interest costs fall. That is a risky of the reason why Reeves announced the welfare reforms in March's Spring Statement was because higher debt interest payments and weaker tax receipts had more than wiped out her existing £10bn the Office for Budget Responsibility, an independent body which assesses the government's spending plans and performance, halved its forecast for UK economic growth this year to 1%.At that point, there was still great uncertainty over the impact of Donald Trump's US tariffs. Since then, the UK became the first country to strike a deal with has significantly reduced tariffs on areas such as cars, though a 10% tax still applies in some areas and a final agreement on UK steel shipments to the States has yet to be reached. 2. Find new savings Reeves has literally just announced a Spending big winners were the NHS, getting an extra £30bn a year, as well as defence. Other departments fared less well or saw back in and asking ministers to find more savings after just being handed their budgets would not only be disruptive but would make the government look like it is scrambling to regain is also a big question mark now over whether the government can afford to remove the two-child benefit cap. Sir Keir Starmer said last month he would "look at" scrapping it, at a cost of £3.5bn. 3. Change the financial rules This is a big no-no for Reeves. When she became chancellor, Reeves set out two financial rules. The first was that day-to-day spending would be paid for with government revenue, which is mainly taxes. Borrowing is only for second is that debt must be falling as a share of national income by the end of a five-year has repeatedly said these rules are "non-negotiable".They are aimed at showing that the UK is financially stable after the country's credibility was shaken by former Prime Minister Liz Truss's mini-budget in Reeves could alter the rules - they are self-imposed - but that risks rattling markets and if that happens, debt interest payments could rise. 4. Less frequent financial checks The OBR produces two assessments of the UK's economic and financial outlook a year, coinciding with the Autumn Budget and the Spring International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suggested that the OBR report should be limited to just once, at the IMF reckons one assessment would "promote further policy stability" and potentially reduce the pressure on the government's buffer figure, which is often referred to as "headroom".It said that even "small revisions to the economic outlook can erode the headroom within the rules, which is the subject of intense market and media scrutiny".Prior to the mini-Budget, Truss and her Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng shunned the OBR when they announced £45bn in unfunded tax cuts, which unnerved financial then, Reeves has introduced a new law which means that any government announcement that makes major changes to taxes or spending is subject to an assessment by the OBR. To limit a report to once a year, she could choose to limit what she sets out in the Spring Statement to just providing an update on the state of the economy. 5. Increase taxes or extend threshold freeze Labour has pledged not raise taxes for "working people", ruling out increases to employee National Insurance Contributions, Income Tax and Wednesday, cabinet minister Pat McFadden said the government would stick to that promise but he admitted that there would be "financial consequences" to the decision to water down planned welfare leaves Reeves with few levers to pull to replenish the government's option is to keep a freeze on tax thresholds in place for longer. The policy, introduced under the Tory government, was due to end in April Reeves extended it until the end of the parliament, it could bring in nearly £ reality, this is a tax rise on working people - if your pay rises, you risk being dragged into a higher tax threshold. However, it would be a big fix for a government in desperate need of one.
