Key Facts
• On July 3, 2025, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese released a report.
• The report accuses 48 companies of profiting from Israel’s occupation and apartheid.
• Albanese claims these companies support Israel’s colonial project replacing Palestinians.
• The report highlights human rights violations and international crimes linked to businesses.
• Israel’s Geneva delegation called the report defamatory and an abuse of authority.
• Swiss resource giant Glencore denied the allegations, calling them baseless.
• Albanese described Gaza and the West Bank as “apocalyptic” in her presentation.
• She urged governments, companies, and consumers to dismantle the “genocide economy.”
• Only 18 of the 48 companies responded to Albanese’s inquiries, most denying issues.
• Companies like Booking.com, Microsoft, and Volvo rejected the report’s claims.
• Albanese’s report received applause but also criticism from Israel and allies.
• The UN clarified that Special Rapporteurs do not officially represent the organization.
Summary
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese’s report accuses 48 companies of profiting from Israel’s alleged “genocide” against Palestinians, sparking significant controversy. The report, presented to the UN Human Rights Council, claims these companies support Israel’s colonial and apartheid policies, urging them to cease activities that perpetuate human rights violations. Israel’s government and several named companies, including Glencore, Booking.com, and Microsoft, strongly denied the allegations, labeling them baseless. Albanese described the situation in Gaza and the West Bank as “apocalyptic” and called for dismantling the “genocide economy.” While her report received applause in the UN chamber, it also faced criticism from Israel and its allies, who accused her of anti-Semitism and demanded her removal. The UN clarified that Special Rapporteurs do not officially represent the organization.
