Profits over people? UN report says 'lucrative' deals help Israel's Gaza campaign

A United Nations expert has released a report naming over 60 companies that are helping Israel's military operations and settlement activities in Gaza and West Bank. The report says these companies are involved in arms, technology, and heavy machinery, and are making profits from the ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of people and affected millions. The report will be officially presented to the 47-member UN Human Rights Council on Thursday.

Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories and an Italian human rights lawyer, prepared the report after analysing over 200 submissions from governments, human rights groups, academics, and corporations. The 27-page report was published on Monday.

Albanese described the conflict in Gaza as a "genocidal campaign" and stated that international businesses were financially benefiting from it. "While life in Gaza is being obliterated and the West Bank is under escalating assault, this report shows why Israel's genocide continues: because it is lucrative for many," she wrote. She accused companies of being "financially bound to Israel's apartheid and militarism."

ARMS, TECH COMPANIES ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING WAR

Businesses from various sectors, including technology, construction, and defence, are listed in the report. Amongst them are heavy equipment producers like Caterpillar and HD Hyundai of South Korea, as well as the American weapons manufacturers Lockheed Martin and Leonardo of Italy. According to Albanese, their goods have been utilised in military operations that have demolished Palestinian infrastructure and homes.

"Foreign military sales are government-to-government transactions. Discussions about those sales are best addressed by the US government," a Lockheed Martin spokesperson said in response.

The report also names major tech companies like Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, and Palantir Technologies. It accuses these firms of enabling Israel’s surveillance systems and playing a role in Gaza’s destruction. Alphabet has previously defended its $1.2 billion cloud contract with the Israeli government, saying it is not used for military or intelligence purposes.

Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Palantir Technologies, and Alphabet (Google's parent company) are also mentioned in the report. These companies are allegedly aiding Israel's surveillance systems and contributing to the devastation of Gaza. Alphabet has previously maintained that its $1.2 billion cloud contract with the Israeli government is not utilised for intelligence or military activities.

The report mentioned Palantir supplying the Israeli military with artificial intelligence tools, but it did not specify how the tools were being used.

A UN database that was last updated in 2023 and that also listed businesses involved in Israeli settlements is the foundation of Albanese's report. The private sector's involvement in the ongoing conflict in Gaza is highlighted in this most recent report, which also includes new businesses.

Israel's mission in Geneva rejected the report, calling it "legally groundless, defamatory, and a flagrant abuse of her office." Israeli government officials did not provide any clarifications.

The US mission to the United Nations also criticised the report and called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to dismiss Albanese. A spokesperson said, "The lack of such action to date has enabled Ms. Albanese to pursue her campaign of economic warfare targeting entities across the world."

DEATH TOLL RISES IN GAZA

Israel has denied all accusations of genocide in Gaza and insists that it is acting in self-defence after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 people being taken hostage, according to Israeli officials.

Since then, the conflict in Gaza has claimed over 56,000 lives, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Large parts of the territory have been reduced to rubble.

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