International Coalition Calls for End to Business in Israeli Settlements, Citing Humanitarian Crisis
An alliance of over 80 civil society organizations is demanding an end to international commercial and economic activity within Israeli settlements in the West Bank, arguing that such involvement directly exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in the occupied palestinian territories and supports the expansion of settlement construction.
A new report,titled Commercial activities with illegal settlements: how foreign states and companies enable the illegal Israel settlements company,details how Israel’s settlement project has fragmented the West bank and undermined the Palestinian economy,leading to widespread poverty and suffering.
The report asserts that despite the illegality of Israeli settlements under international law and their devastating humanitarian impact, foreign states continue to provide support. The European Union and its member states are identified as Israel’s primary trading partner, with current policies financially supporting and normalizing the settlement economy – a practice the organizations claim violates international law.
the report highlights the systematic discrimination faced by Palestinians in the occupied territories, including human rights violations and unequal request of the law. Palestinians experience increasing poverty, especially in areas near settlements and in Area C, which is under full Israeli control. This contrasts sharply with the lucrative subsidies, tax benefits, and preferential treatment afforded to settlements and their industries by the Israeli government.
Moreover, the report details widespread violence perpetrated by settlers against Palestinian communities, including physical attacks, harassment, and the destruction of farmland and crops, frequently enough with impunity. This violence has escalated following the October 7, 2023 attacks.
The report specifically names several international companies allegedly profiting from the settlements, including German tourism conglomerate Tui, British construction firm JC Bamford Excavators, German company Siemens, and French retailer Carrefour. The organizations argue that these commercial ties facilitate and sustain the humanitarian crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories.
