UN adds 61 firms to West Bank settlement list, total reaches 214
The UN human rights office expanded its database of companies linked to Israeli settlements, drawing criticism from Israel, while outlets differ in how they characterize the list's purpose and legal framing.
What happened
The UN Human Rights Office added 61 companies to its database of businesses tied to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, bringing the total to 214 companies from 11 countries.12456789
Most of the listed companies are Israeli, and the list includes well-known international brands such as Airbnb and Expedia, as well as two French companies, Egis and Egis Rail.126
According to Anadolu Agency, five companies were removed from the database in this update.9
Israel condemned the database, with the New York Times reporting Israeli officials called it a 'political tool' to advance 'a smear campaign'.3
The list has been maintained by the UN Office for Human Rights since 2020.6
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
The legal status of the settlements and framing of the list
Al Jazeera English, The Straits Times, Arab News, Anadolu Agency
These outlets state the UN considers the settlements illegal and describe the list as concerning companies tied to illegal settlement activity.2479
Israel, via The New York Times
Israeli officials describe the database as a political tool intended to advance a smear campaign, rather than a legitimate legal exercise.3
Purpose and potential use of the list
The Times of Israel
Describes the database as a 'blacklist' that could be used to enable boycotts of the named companies.5
Arab News
Describes the list as categorizing companies by their level of contribution to harming Palestinian self-determination, with 200 found to contribute to adverse effects and 14 'directly linked' to such harm.7
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| Middle East outlets covering Israeli reaction and settlement legalityMiddle East & Turkey | Coverage from this region includes both outlets emphasizing the list's legal framing as concerning illegal settlements and Israeli outlets reporting strong objections to the database.25789 | illegal settlements, Israeli criticism, potential for boycotts |
| North American coverage of Israeli objectionsNorth America | The New York Times foregrounds Israel's strong objection to the list, quoting Israeli characterization of it as a political smear campaign.3 | Israeli condemnation, political tool framing |
| European coverage of domestic company involvementEurope | Le Monde focuses on which French companies appear on the list, noting continuity with the 2025 listing.1 | French companies named, continuity with prior list |
| Southeast Asian wire coverageSoutheast Asia | The Straits Times presents a brief factual account emphasizing the UN human rights office's role and its view that the settlements are illegal.4 | UN human rights office action, illegality of settlements |
| State-controlled outlets from Qatar and TurkeyMiddle East & Turkey | Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency, both state-controlled, describe the settlements as illegal and detail the scale of the list's expansion, with Anadolu additionally noting removals from the database.29 | illegal settlement activities, database expansion, removals |
| UAE-based outlet noting broader contextMiddle East & Turkey | The National connects the list's growth to recent European bans on trade with settlements and references a reported surge in violence against Palestinians, situating the list within wider regional developments.6 | European trade bans, regional violence context, major travel brands named |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported detailed responses from the individual companies named on the list, such as Airbnb, Expedia, or ADAMA.
- None of the outlets reviewed explained the specific criteria the UN uses to distinguish between the 200 companies found to contribute to adverse effects and the 14 considered 'directly linked' to harm.
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed which five companies were removed from the database or the reasons for their removal.
- None of the outlets reviewed reported on any concrete boycott or divestment actions taken as a result of the list to date.
Why it matters
Sources (9)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
North America
- 3The New York TimesUSPrivate
U.N. Releases New List of Companies It Says Do Business With Israeli Settlements
Europe
- 1Le MondeFRPrivate
West Bank: 214 companies linked to Israeli settlements placed on UN list
Translated from French: Cisjordanie : 214 entreprises liées aux colonies israéliennes placées sur la liste de l’ONU
Middle East & Turkey
- 2Al Jazeera EnglishQAState-controlled
UN expands list of firms involved in illegal Israeli settlement activities
- 5The Times of IsraelILPrivate
UN blacklists 61 more firms operating in West Bank settlements
- 6The NationalAEPrivate
UN list of companies involved in West Bank settlements grows by a third
- 7Arab NewsSAPrivate
UN adds 61 companies to list of firms tied to illegal Israeli settlements, bringing total to 214
- 8The Jerusalem PostILPrivate
UN expands list of companies linked to Israeli settlements in the West Bank
- 9Anadolu AgencyTRState-controlled
Southeast Asia
- 4The Straits TimesSGPrivate