The UN human rights office has added 61 more companies to a blacklist, alleging their involvement in violating Palestinian human rights through business ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. This update brings the total number of companies on the list to 214, with the majority being Israeli and based in 11 countries. Notably, five of the 158 companies listed last year have been removed in this latest update.

Background of the Blacklist

The blacklist was first published in 2020 following a vote by the UN’s human rights council. While the council lacks the authority to compel companies to act, the primary aim of the list is to name and shame businesses associated with the settlements. The financial impact of being included on the list remains unclear.