.jpg)
On Friday, September 26, 2025, the United Nations (UN) human rights office released an updated database identifying 158 business enterprises from 11 countries implicated in operations within Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). This comprehensive update, mandated by the UN Human Rights Council, builds on previous iterations published in 2020 and 2023, offering a detailed examination of corporate activities that contribute to or benefit from the maintenance and expansion of settlements deemed illegal under international law. The report underscores the complexities of business operations in conflict zones and emphasizes the responsibility of companies to adhere to international human rights standards.
Overview of the Database and Its Significance
The UN’s database, first established following a 2016 resolution by the Human Rights Council, seeks to identify businesses involved in activities that support or sustain Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. These settlements are widely regarded as illegal under international law, specifically under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its civilian population into the territory it occupies. The UN’s initiative to track and publicize corporate involvement in these settlements aims to promote accountability, encourage responsible business practices, and highlight the human rights implications of such activities.
The 2025 update marks the third iteration of the database, following its initial release in 2020 and a subsequent update in 2023. The latest report identifies 158 business enterprises from 11 countries: the United States, Spain, the Netherlands, France, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Portugal, Luxembourg, and Israel, with the majority of the listed companies headquartered in Israel. This represents a significant expansion from previous versions, reflecting both the addition of new companies and the removal of others no longer engaged in the specified activities.
The database is not merely a list but a tool for fostering transparency and accountability. It serves as a call to action for businesses, governments, and civil society to address the human rights impacts of corporate activities in conflict-affected areas. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk emphasized the importance of the report, stating that it “underscores the due diligence responsibility of businesses working in contexts of conflict.” By identifying companies and their activities, the UN aims to encourage firms to align their operations with international human rights standards and to take remedial action where necessary.
Scope and Methodology of the Update
The 2025 update was compiled through a rigorous process, building on a public call for submissions launched in 2024. During this process, the UN human rights office received information on 596 businesses potentially linked to activities in the settlements. Of these, 215 were fully reviewed, including all 97 companies listed in the 2023 database. The review process resulted in the addition of 68 new companies to the list and the removal of seven that were found to no longer be involved in the specified activities, bringing the total to 158 confirmed enterprises.
The activities covered by the database are wide-ranging and include:
Supplying equipment and materials for the construction and maintenance of settlements.
Facilitating the demolition of Palestinian homes and property.
Conducting surveillance operations in settlement areas.
Exploiting natural resources, such as water and minerals, for business purposes.
Contributing to environmental degradation, including pollution and waste dumping in Palestinian villages.
Each company included in the database was given an opportunity to respond to the allegations against it. The UN human rights office employed a methodology aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, a framework established in 2011 to guide businesses in preventing and addressing human rights abuses linked to their operations. The office determined that there were “reasonable grounds” to conclude that all 158 listed companies were engaged in one or more of the activities outlined in the report.
The sectors most commonly represented in the database include construction, real estate, mining, and quarrying. These industries are critical to the physical and economic infrastructure of the settlements, which have expanded significantly over the decades, often at the expense of Palestinian land and resources. The UN’s focus on these sectors highlights the direct and indirect roles that businesses play in perpetuating the occupation and its associated human rights challenges.
Global Reach of the Database
The inclusion of companies from 11 countries underscores the global nature of economic activities tied to the Israeli settlements. While the majority of the listed enterprises are headquartered in Israel, the presence of firms from major economies such as the United States, China, and several European countries reflects the interconnectedness of global supply chains and the challenges of regulating business conduct in conflict zones. The diversity of countries involved also raises questions about the responsibilities of states to regulate their companies’ activities abroad, particularly in contexts where human rights violations are alleged.
For example, companies based in the United States and European nations are often involved in supplying technology, equipment, or financial services that support settlement activities. These firms may not have a direct presence in the occupied territory but contribute through their products or services. Similarly, Chinese companies, which have increased their economic engagement in the region in recent years, are included for activities such as infrastructure development and resource extraction. The inclusion of firms from Luxembourg and Portugal, smaller economies, highlights the far-reaching impact of global business networks.
The UN report calls on states to ensure that companies domiciled in their jurisdictions comply with international law and take steps to mitigate any adverse human rights impacts. This includes ensuring access to justice and remedy for those affected by business-related abuses, a principle enshrined in the UN Guiding Principles. By naming companies from multiple countries, the UN aims to prompt governments to strengthen oversight of corporate activities and to encourage businesses to adopt more robust due diligence practices.
Corporate Responsibility and Remediation
Beyond identifying companies, the UN report emphasizes the responsibility of businesses to address their human rights impacts. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights provide a framework for companies to conduct due diligence, assess risks, and take corrective action when their operations contribute to harm. The report urges the 158 listed companies to “take appropriate action to address adverse human rights impacts,” including providing remediation where harm has occurred.
Remediation can take various forms, such as compensating affected communities, ceasing harmful activities, or implementing policies to prevent future violations. For example, a company involved in supplying construction materials for settlements could halt such activities or redirect its resources to projects that do not infringe on Palestinian rights. Similarly, firms engaged in environmental degradation, such as waste dumping, could invest in cleanup efforts or adopt sustainable practices to mitigate their impact.
The report’s emphasis on remediation aligns with broader trends in corporate social responsibility (CSR), where businesses are increasingly expected to account for their social and environmental footprints. However, implementing these principles in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is fraught with challenges. Companies operating in the occupied territory often face political and economic pressures, and some may argue that their activities are lawful under domestic regulations or necessary for economic survival. The UN’s database seeks to counter such arguments by grounding its findings in international law and human rights standards.
Challenges and Controversies
The UN’s database has been a subject of intense debate since its inception. Supporters view it as a vital tool for holding corporations accountable and shedding light on the economic underpinnings of the occupation. They argue that publicizing the names of companies involved in settlement activities creates pressure for change, both from consumers and investors who prioritize ethical business practices and from governments that may face scrutiny for failing to regulate such activities.
Critics, however, argue that the database unfairly targets companies and risks politicizing the issue. Some governments, particularly Israel, have condemned the initiative as biased and claim it disproportionately focuses on Israeli companies while ignoring other human rights issues globally. Others contend that the database could deter legitimate business activities in the region, potentially harming economic development for both Israelis and Palestinians.
The UN human rights office has sought to address these criticisms by emphasizing the transparency and rigor of its methodology. By providing companies an opportunity to respond and by aligning its criteria with established international standards, the office aims to ensure that the database is perceived as a credible and impartial tool. The inclusion of a fully annexed list of companies, detailing both those newly added and those removed, further enhances the report’s transparency.
Broader Implications for Human Rights and Conflict Zones
The release of the 2025 update comes at a time when global attention to business and human rights is growing. The UN’s database is part of a broader movement to hold corporations accountable for their actions in conflict-affected areas, whether in the occupied Palestinian territory, Ukraine, Myanmar, or other regions. The principles outlined in the report—due diligence, remediation, and access to justice—are applicable to a wide range of contexts where businesses operate amidst human rights challenges.
In the case of the occupied Palestinian territory, the database highlights the intersection of economic activity and political conflict. The settlements, which number over 250 in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, are a central issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, affecting land rights, access to resources, and the prospects for a two-state solution. By identifying businesses that contribute to the settlements’ growth and sustainability, the UN aims to draw attention to the economic dimensions of the occupation and encourage stakeholders to address these issues constructively.
The report also underscores the role of international law in shaping corporate behavior. The UN Guiding Principles, while not legally binding, have gained widespread acceptance as a standard for responsible business conduct. By applying these principles to the context of the occupied Palestinian territory, the UN seeks to set a precedent for how businesses should navigate complex geopolitical environments.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 update to the UN database is likely to spark renewed debate about the role of businesses in conflict zones and the responsibilities of states to regulate their activities. For the 158 companies listed, the report serves as a call to action to reassess their operations and align them with international human rights standards. For governments, it is a reminder of their obligation to ensure that companies under their jurisdiction do not contribute to human rights abuses.
Civil society organizations, including human rights groups and advocacy networks, are expected to use the database to pressure companies and governments to take action. Investors and consumers may also play a role, as growing awareness of ethical investing and purchasing practices could influence corporate behavior. For example, divestment campaigns targeting companies involved in the settlements have gained traction in recent years, particularly in Europe and North America.
The UN human rights office has indicated that it will continue to monitor and update the database, ensuring that it remains a dynamic tool for promoting accountability. Future updates may include additional companies or reflect changes in the activities of those currently listed. The office has also called for increased cooperation from states, businesses, and other stakeholders to address the human rights challenges associated with the settlements.
Conclusion
The UN’s updated database of companies operating in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory represents a significant step toward corporate accountability in a complex and contentious conflict. By identifying 158 businesses from 11 countries and detailing their activities, the report shines a light on the economic dimensions of the occupation and the human rights implications of corporate involvement. Through its rigorous methodology and alignment with international standards, the UN seeks to foster transparency, encourage responsible business practices, and promote access to justice for those affected by settlement-related activities.
As the global community grapples with the challenges of regulating business in conflict zones, the UN’s database serves as a model for addressing similar issues in other regions. While controversies and challenges remain, the report underscores the importance of due diligence, remediation, and accountability in ensuring that businesses operate in a manner that respects human rights. For the companies listed, the governments of their home countries, and the international community at large, the 2025 update is a call to action to address the human rights impacts of economic activities in the occupied Palestinian territory and beyond.
