UN Report Accuses British Companies of Supporting Israeli Genocide

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations has published a scathing report accusing British companies, including Barclays and BP, of supporting Israel's genocide in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The document, written by Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, lists several British universities, financial enterprises, and tech firms for their ties to Israel. The report focuses on companies that have strengthened their ties with Israel since October 2023, when it began its attacks on Gaza, and calls for sanctions, a full arms embargo, and reparations to Palestinians.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN report accuses 14 British companies, including Barclays, BP, and the University of Edinburgh, of supporting Israel's genocide in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
  • The report highlights companies that have invested in and underwritten Israeli government bonds, which are the main source of revenue for Israel's ballooning military spending.
  • The University of Edinburgh has invested £25.5 million in tech giants "central to the Israeli surveillance apparatus and the ongoing Gaza destruction" and has partnerships with firms involved with the Israeli military.
  • Major tech firms such as Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Palantir have been called out for providing services and software to the Israeli military.
  • Companies providing equipment such as bulldozers used to demolish Palestinian homes and infrastructure, such as Caterpillar, Hyundai, and Volvo, have been named.
  • The report calls for sanctions, a full arms embargo, and reparations to Palestinians, including an apartheid wealth tax.
  • The death toll in Gaza since October 2023 stands at more than 56,000 people, with an additional 132,200 injured, according to the local health ministry.

Statistics:

  • 14 British companies have been accused of supporting Israel's genocide in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
  • The University of Edinburgh has invested £25.5 million in tech giants "central to the Israeli surveillance apparatus and the ongoing Gaza destruction".
  • Over 56,000 people have died in Gaza since October 2023, with an additional 132,200 injured.
  • Israel's military spending has ballooned since the attacks on Gaza began in October 2023, with the main source of revenue coming from Israeli government bonds.
  • The UN report has highlighted several companies that have invested in and underwritten these bonds.

Sources:

  • "Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967" by Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, March 2024.
  • Press release by the University of Edinburgh, [date].
  • Interview with Francesca Albanese, [date].
  • Article by [author], [date].