A United Nations expert has urged dozens of multinational companies to stop doing business with Israel, citing allegations that the country is committing war crimes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Francesca Albanese’s report describes an “economy of genocide” where the conflict with Hamas provides a testing ground for new weapons and technology without accountability or oversight.
Albanese has accused several major companies, including Lockheed Martin, Alphabet, IBM, Microsoft, Amazon, Caterpillar, Hyundai, and Volvo, of profiting from war crimes. She claims that financial institutions such as BNP Paribas and Barclays have underwritten Israeli treasury bonds throughout the conflict.
Israel has rejected the report as “groundless” and “defamatory.” However, many countries, including African, Asian, and Arab states, have praised Albanese’s call for disinvestment and condemned Israel’s denial of aid to Gaza. European states have also criticized Israel’s actions, saying it has a legal responsibility to ensure Palestinians’ means to survive.
The UN expert’s report is an attempt to remind multinationals of the global condemnation faced by apartheid South Africa when they made money from trading with the country. Albanese hopes that her report will provide consumers with information to make informed purchasing decisions and pressure companies into reconsidering their ties with Israel.
As the International Court of Justice considers a case against Israel on the question of genocide, many experts believe that companies selling arms or technology to Israel could be accused of complicity in possible war crimes. The US administration’s response has been dismissive, but big US companies may start to reevaluate their ties with Israel as they face increasing global pressure.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2039xpv87o