UN expands list of companies operating in West Bank settlements

UN expands list of companies operating in West Bank settlements The United Nations human rights office issued a list on Friday adding 61 more companies operating in Israeli West Bank settlements, which the global body considers illegal.

The database is highly sensitive as firms could be targeted for boycotts or divestment to pressure Israel over settler expansion in the territory that is home to over 3 million Palestinians.

The database, first released in 2020, now includes 214 firms, mostly from Israel, but also from 10 other countries including France, Germany, China and the US.

Newly added firms included Israeli pesticides maker ADAMA, part of Chinese-owned Syngenta Group, Israel-based real estate investment holding company Alony Hetz and Spain's Salvat Logistica.

They did not immediately respond to a request for comment on their inclusion in the UN database. They joined companies such as travel agency Expedia and home-rental company Airbnb already on the list.

Report by Reuters