Settlement Industry

This section focuses on the companies involved in the settlement industry, which depend on and benefit from the illegal confiscation of occupied resources and from the discriminatory legal regime in the occupied territories.

Between 1967 and 2016, Israel has built 132 settlements in the occupied West Bank, with a population of almost 400,000 settlers. An additional 200,000 settlers live in neighborhoods in occupied East Jerusalem, a part of the West Bank that Israel officially annexed after the 1967 war. In addition, there are about a hundred smaller settlement “outposts” in the occupied West Bank that were built without official government approval but still receive tacit approval and support. In the Syrian Golan Heights, which Israel annexed by law in 1981, there are some 30 settlements, with about 22,000 residents.

Regardless of their status under Israeli law, all the above settlement activities violate Israel's obligations as an occupying power under the terms of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its nationals into the territory it occupies. As early as 1979, UN Security Council Resolution 446 determined that the Israeli settlements in Palestine and the Golan Heights “have no legal validity.” In 2004, the International Court of Justice ruled that the Israeli settlements in the West Bank “have been established in breach of international law.” In 2016, UN Security Council Resolution 2334 determined that the settlements constitute “a flagrant violation under international law.” The Resolution called on Israel to “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities,” and called on all other states “to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967.”

The UN proclaimed responsibilities of states for internationally wrongful acts include an obligation to refrain from recognizing as lawful a situation created by a serious breach of international law. To avoid recognizing the settlements as legal, many states differentiate in their policies between the State of Israel and activities that happen in its illegal settlements. The European Union’s policies, for example, explicitly exclude settlement-based entities and activities from receiving EU funding, and require settlement products to be clearly labeled as such. US customs regulations similarly mandate that goods produced in the West Bank or Gaza Strip and imported to the US shall not be labeled as “Made in Israel.”

In addition to state obligations, businesses also have responsibilities with regard to their operation in settlements. In 2013, the UN Human Rights Council issued a report on the implications of the Israeli settlements on the rights of the Palestinian people. The report, which also examined the impact of businesses, called on companies to “assess the human rights impact of their activities and take all necessary steps - including by terminating their business interests in the settlements - to ensure that they do not have an adverse impact on the human rights of the Palestinian people.”

In 2020, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights published a list of 112 companies doing business in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. The annual publication of such a list was mandated by U.N. Human Rights Council Resolution 31/36 of March 2016, which reaffirmed the illegality of Israeli settlements and identified the settlements and the impunity they enjoy as the root cause of many violations of Palestinian human rights. The resolution called on states to prevent their companies from contributing to gross human rights abuses of Palestinians and to provide guidance to businesses on the financial, reputational, and legal risks for corporate involvement in such abuses. More information about the U.N. database can be found here.

Corporate involvement in the settlement industry includes:

  • Settlement construction - companies that have participated in the building of housing units or infrastructure projects in or for settlements, that have financed such projects, or that have been active in the settlement real estate market.
  • Business activities in settlements - companies with factories, storage facilities, or retail stores in settlements or in the settlement industrial zones in the West Bank.
  • Settlement services - companies that provide vital services that help sustain settlements such as communication, transportation, waste management, etc.

The American Friends Service Committee maintains that people should have the right to build and live anywhere, but not as a result of unwarranted land confiscation and illegal settlements. AFSC’s investment policy precludes investment in companies that “provide products or services that contribute to the maintenance and expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories,” or that “establish facilities or operations in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.”


Related databases and resources

The list of companies involved in this sector
Select private companies are listed below publicly-traded companies.
(!) symbol means this company is on our divestment list
Publicly-Traded Companies
Switzerland

A Swedish-Swiss multinational corporation that manufactures robotics, electrification equipment, and automation technology. Its equipment has been used at solar energy fields in the occupied West Bank.

Israel

An Israeli security firm that specializes in military intelligence and cyber security. Operates out of an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank.

A Spanish company specializing in civil and engineering construction. Its subsidiary SEMI led the project to electrify the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem railway, which crosses into the occupied West Bank.

Israel

A Chinese-owned Israeli chemical pesticide manufacturer that supports agriculture in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights. Its products have also been used by the Israeli military to maintain the blockade on the Gaza Strip.

An Israeli company specializing in control and automation technologies that is involved in several projects in the occupied Palestinian territory and Golan Heights.

A US company that lists rental properties in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories.

An Israeli investment firm. Its subsidiary Energix Renewable Energy has projects in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights. Its subsidiary Amot Investments owns an industrial building in the occupied West Bank.

A French company operating in the railway sector. It participated in the construction of the Jerusalem Light Rail and Tel Aviv–Jerusalem railway, both of which cut through the occupied Palestinian territory.

A Dutch multinational telecommunications company. Its Israeli subsidiary HOT has facilities in and provides telecommunication services to most illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

An Israeli agricultural company that operates branches in two illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

An Israeli real estate investment firm. Owns an industrial building in an illegal settlement industrial zone in the occupied West Bank.

One of Israel's largest construction and real estate companies. It has constructed housing units and large-scale infrastructure in illegal Israeli settlements, as well as parts of Israel's separation wall. It also operates a quarry and concrete plant in the occupied West Bank.

A Polish multinational software company that owns Formula Systems and Matrix IT, both of which provide multiple services to illegal Israeli settlements, the Israeli military, and the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

A Swedish multinational manufacturer of industrial tools and equipment. Some of its products were used in the construction of the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem railway, which cuts through the occupied West Bank.

An Israeli holding company with a controlling interest in Bezeq, Israel's largest telecommunications provider, which has infrastructure throughout the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights and provides telecommunication services to illegal Israeli settlements, military bases, and checkpoints.

An Israeli company operating in the agriculture, retail, financial services, and real estate sectors. Its subsidiaries provide services to and operate facilities in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories.

One of Israel's largest banks, which is deeply involved in the expansion of Israel's illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

One of Israel's largest banks. It is deeply involved in the expansion of Israel's illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories.

An Israeli bank that is deeply involved in the expansion of Israel's illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

An Israeli engineering company that participated in the construction of the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem railway, which cuts through the occupied Palestinian territory. It is involved in the displacement of Palestinians and in construction projects for the Israeli military and police.

Israel's largest telecommunications provider. It has infrastructure throughout the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights and provides telecommunication services to illegal Israeli settlements, military bases, and checkpoints.

A Canadian manufacturer of business aircraft and public transit vehicles. Provides railway engines and cars to Israel's railway system, which transgresses into the occupied Palestinian territory.

A US travel technology company that owns and operates several travel fare search and booking engines. Its subsidiary Booking.com lists accommodations located in the occupied Palestinian territory and Golan Heights.

A Chinese-owned dairy company whose Israeli subsidiary, Tnuva, sources milk from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

An Israeli outsourcing company for secure communications systems. Its systems are installed at military bases and checkpoints in the occupied West Bank and in weapons systems used by the Israeli military.

Japan

A Japanese manufacturer of cameras and film equipment. Its subsidiary Briefcam provides video surveillance tools to the Israeli occupation authorities in East Jerusalem.

A venture capital investment firm. One of its holdings, Meytag High Tech Ventures, is located at Katzrin, an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied Golan Heights.

France

A French multinational retailer with grocery stores located in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Israel's largest fashion company. Operates stores in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

A US-based multinational manufacturer of construction machinery and equipment. Its products are weaponized for the Israeli military and are used in home demolitions; in the construction of illegal settlement infrastructure, border walls, and military checkpoints; and in military assaults against Palestinians.

The largest Israeli cellular communications provider. It operates hundreds of antennas that serve illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories.

A Mexican building materials company that has provided concrete for numerous illegal Israeli construction projects in the occupied Palestinian territory and that operates production plants there, despite having formally sold them.

A US-based apparel and accessories retailer that has stores in Atarot and Ramot, two illegal Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank. The stores are operated by its Israeli licensee, Fox-Wizel.

A US-based networking hardware company. Established a network of “digital hubs” in partnership with the Israeli government, some of them in occupied territories.

One of Israel's largest insurance companies. It routinely finances and insures construction projects in Israel's illegal settlements throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.

A multinational manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment. Its construction equipment has been used in demolitions of Palestinians' homes and in construction on illegal Israeli settlements and the Separation Wall.

A Spanish manufacturer of railway vehicles and buses. It is involved in the construction, expansion, operation, and maintenance of the Jerusalem Light Rail, which is part of Israel's illegal settlement enterprise in the occupied Palestinian territory.

An Israeli construction company controlled by Africa Israel and its parent company, Lapidoth Capital. It is involved in several construction and infrastructure projects in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

An Israeli multinational conglomerate of automotive, energy, insurance, and real estate companies. It owns and operates gas stations and convenience stores throughout the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

An Israeli textile manufacturer with branches in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

South Korea

A South Korean multinational conglomerate of power generation, desalination, heavy machinery, and construction companies. Machinery manufactured by the company and its subsidiary Bobcat has been used in the construction of illegal Israeli settlements and related infrastructure, the separation wall, and military checkpoints.

An Israeli holding company with subsidiaries that develop, construct, and operate gas stations as well as market fuel products. It operates gas stations and convenience stores in multiple illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

/*-->*/ Europe's largest online travel company. Its subsidiary Opodo lists locations in occupied Palestinian and Syrian lands.

An Israeli holding company with multiple business operations in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

A US digital tourism and travel company that owns and operates several search and booking websites. Its flagship websites Expedia.com and Hotels.com list locations in occupied Palestinian and Syrian lands.

The parent company of Bank of Jerusalem, an Israeli bank that finances construction projects and operates branches in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The parent company of First International Bank of Israel, which finances construction projects, operates branches in, and provides financial services to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territory.

One of Israel's largest banks. It is deeply involved in the expansion of Israel's illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

A US-based manufacturer of solar energy systems. Provides solar panels for a solar farm in an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.

A US-based apparel and accessories retailer that has a store in Ma’ale Adumim, an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank. The store is operated by its Israeli licensee, Fox-Wizel.

A subsidiary of multinational software company Asseco and parent company of Matrix IT and other subsidiaries that provide security systems and IT services to illegal Israeli settlements, the Israeli military, and the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

A Chinese multinational conglomerate that owns AHAVA, which excavates minerals in the occupied West Bank and operates a processing center and visitor center in an illegal Israeli settlement, despite moving its factory outside of the occupied Palestinian territory.

Israel

An Israeli apparel and accessories retailer that has stores in multiple illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank under its brands Fox, Foot Locker, Fox, Laline, and The Children's Place, according to Who Profits.

One of Israel's largest private security firms and a former subsidiary of G4S. It provides security services and equipment to illegal Israeli settlements, the Israeli military, and the Israeli police and prison systems.

An Israeli company that manufactures products for bathrooms and kitchens. It operates a factory in an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.

A Chinese manufacturer of surveillance cameras and software, AI systems, access control technology, and other products. Its equipment is used to surveil Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and by prison and police agencies worldwide. 

One of Israel's largest insurance companies. It routinely finances and insures construction projects in Israel's illegal settlements throughout the occupied West Bank.

South Korea

The parent company of Korea Shipbuilding and its subsidiary Hyundai Heavy Industries, whose products are used to demolish homes and to construct illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

The world's largest shipbuilding company and a major heavy equipment manufacturer. Its products are used to demolish homes and to construct illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

The parent company of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, whose products are used to demolish homes and to construct illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

The world's largest cement producer and a leader in the production of aggregates. Operates quarries and manufacturing facilities in the occupied West Bank. Its products have been used to build and expand illegal settlements.

Israel

An Israeli IT company that operates multiple projects supporting the Israeli occupation of Palestine. It operates in illegal settlements and manages parts of Israel's discriminatory population registry system.

Israel

One of Israel's largest companies, which makes fertilizers and chemicals from minerals that it extracts from the Dead Sea. It has provided services to and conducted agricultural experiments in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights. The products that it manufactures have been used in multiple illegal settlements.

The parent company of B Communications, which has a controlling interest in Bezeq, Israel's largest telecommunications provider. Been has infrastructure throughout the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights and provides telecommunication services to illegal Israeli settlements, military bases, and checkpoints.

One of Israel's largest banks. Financed the construction of housing projects in multiple illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Has branches in illegal settlements.

A Chinese manufacturer of solar energy systems. Provides solar panels for a solar farm in an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.

An Indian multinational manufacturing company. Its subsidiary NaanDan Jain Irrigation carries out irrigation projects in and provides services to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

A Dutch investment company that develops and manages assets and projects in real estate and water infrastructure. Through its subsidiary TAHAL Group, the company has carried out multiple projects in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

A large Israeli construction, infrastructure, and drilling company. Its subsidiaries Africa Israel and Danya Cebus are involved in several construction and infrastructure projects in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

An Israeli construction and development company that has provided services and infrastructure to illegal Israeli settlements and military checkpoints in the occupied West Bank.

The parent company of TripAdvisor, an American online travel and tourism company whose flagship website, TripAdvisor.com, lists accommodations and activities in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian and Syrian land.

An Israeli IT company that operates in an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied Palestinian territory and conducts projects for the Israeli military.

An Israeli IT service management company and subsidiary of Formula Systems. It provides services and technology to illegal Israeli settlements, the Israeli military, and the Israel Police and Prison Services, and operates one branch in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank.

An Israeli real estate firm. Develops shopping malls in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Israel

Israel's largest grower and exporter of various fruits and vegetables. It owns and operates dozens of orchards and facilities in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

One of Israel's largest insurance companies. It routinely finances construction projects in Israel's illegal settlements throughout the occupied West Bank.

An Israeli development, construction and real estate company. Builds residential and commercial projects in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

One of Israel's largest insurance companies. It routinely finances and insures construction projects in Israel's illegal settlements throughout the occupied West Bank and provides financial services to illegal settlement councils.

A US-based multinational minerals company. Its products are used in the construction of a water system for illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

One of Israel's largest real estate companies, specializes in properties for industrial or commercial use. Owns multiple industrial spaces in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

A major Israeli bank. Financed the construction of multiple illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Has branches in illegal settlements. Discriminates against Palestinian citizens of Israel.

An Israeli construction and real estate development company that constructs residential and commercial projects in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

A US-based communications and surveillance company. Its surveillance products are used in US prisons, along the US–Mexico border, and by US police departments. Its equipment is installed in illegal Israeli settlements and along the separation wall in the occupied West Bank and is used by the Israeli military, police, and prison service.

A major Israeli bank specializing in credit for local municipalities. Financed the construction of public projects in multiple illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Has branches in settlements.

Italy

An Italian furniture manufacturer that has a store in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank.

One of Israel's largest IT companies. Its subsidiary Tescom has facilities in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank.

Israel

An Israeli manufacturer of security and perimeter protection technology. Its equipment is installed in illegal Israeli settlements and the separation wall in the occupied West Bank.

A Mexican company (formerly Mexichem) operating in the materials, agriculture, and infrastructure industries. Its Israeli subsidiary Netafim, which specializes in precision-irrigation technologies, provides its products and services to several illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

An Israeli development and engineering firm. Operates a quarry and factory in the occupied West Bank and involved in illegal settlement construction.

An American industrial company that designs and builds specialty trucks, military vehicles, and access equipment. Equipment made by its subsidiary JLG Industries has been used in multiple construction projects in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

One of the largest Israeli providers of cellular phone services. Has hundreds of antennas and other communications facilities in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights. Services illegal settlements and military bases in the occupied West Bank.

The largest gas and energy supplier in Israel. Operates gas stations in and supplies cooking gas to illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights. Part of a duopoly with exclusive rights to supply gas to the Gaza strip.

One of Israel's largest insurance companies. It routinely finances and insures construction and infrastructure projects in Israel's illegal settlements throughout the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights and provides financial services to illegal settlement councils.

A US-based multinational water company. Its Israeli subsidiary Eden Springs extracts water from the occupied Golan Heights and is headquartered in an illegal settlement there.

Israel’s third largest grocery store chain. Owns real estate and operates stores in multiple illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

One of the world’s largest real estate companies. Sells and rents real estate in multiple illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Has a franchised office in a settlement.

A French furniture manufacturer that has a store in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank.

An Israeli agricultural technology company that provides climate management technologies to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

An Israeli construction company that has built residential housing projects in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. It previously constructed facilities for the Israeli military.

One of Israel's largest bread and pastries companies. It operates bakeries in two illegal Israeli settlement neighborhoods of occupied East Jerusalem: Gilo and Ramat Shlomo.

An Israeli construction and infrastructure firm. Operates a quarry and concrete plant in the occupied West Bank and involved in several development projects in illegal settlements there.

An Israeli infrastructure and construction company. Builds infrastructure and residential projects in multiple illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and has a factory a factory in a settlement. Involved in building military checkpoints and the Gaza wall.

One of the largest grocery store chains in Israel. It operates branches and manufactures food products in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

A Chinese solar energy company. Its solar panels are used in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

Germany

A German multinational conglomerate in the electronics and industrial engineering industries. Its equipment is installed in illegal settlement roads and a the railway tracks in the occupied West Bank.

A German-owned solar energy equipment supplier whose equipment has been used at a solar field in an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.

An Israeli solar power company. Its systems are installed in  illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Belgium

A Belgian multinational chemical company whose products were used in the construction of a water system for illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

A Japanese multinational conglomerate that specializes in developing and manufacturing electronic equipment, gaming consoles, instruments, and software. Its cameras are used in surveillance systems in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

A US manufacturer of mattresses and other bedding products that has a store in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank.

An Israeli solar energy company with projects in the occupied West Bank.

A US manufacturer of machinery and lift equipment for construction and infrastructure projects. Its equipment has been used in home demolitions and in the construction of Israel's separation wall, the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem railway, and military checkpoints. 

An Israeli real estate, construction, and development company that builds housing and commercial projects in the occupied Palestinian territory.

An Israeli staffing agency for the private security industry. Its subsidiary Reshef Security provides security services to illegal Israeli settlements, infrastructure projects, and military checkpoints in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.

Netherlands

A Dutch technology company whose surveillance cameras are used to surveil Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and by prison and police agencies worldwide.

One of the world's largest automakers. Its vehicles are routinely and extensively used by the Israeli military in committing human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories. 

Germany

A German manufacturer of commercial vehicles and engineering equipment, majority-owned by Volkswagen. It provides Israel with MAN vehicles, which are converted there into The Skunk, a crowd control weapon designed specifically for the military occupation. In addition, MAN buses are used by Egged, a large Israeli bus company that serves many illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

An American digital travel and tourism company that owns and operates several search and booking websites. Its flagship website, TripAdvisor.com, lists many accommodations in illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian and Syrian land.

An Israeli company that operates in construction, real estate, and archive services fields. It owns and operates industrial offices, rental properties, and archival facilities in several illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Germany

A German manufacturer of commercial vehicles and engineering equipment. Its subsidiary Traton provides Israel with MAN vehicles, which are converted into The Skunk, a crowd control weapon designed specifically for the military occupation. In addition, MAN buses are used by Egged, a large Israeli bus company that serves many illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Sweden

A Swedish multinational manufacturer of trucks, buses, construction equipment, and industrial systems. Its vehicles and equipment have been used in demolitions of Palestinians' homes and in the construction of illegal Israeli settlements and settlement infrastructure in the occupied West Bank.

A Canadian management and consultancy services firm that is involved in several transportation projects in the occupied West Bank.

A US-based owner and operator of hotels and resorts that has a hotel in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank.

An Israeli construction and infrastructure company that conducts projects in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Its subsidiary GreenNet operates a waste management facility in an illegal settlement in occupied East Jerusalem.

An Israeli construction and real estate company that has built residential and commercial projects in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Its subsidiary Giltek Infrastructure Works has performed construction work for the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Private Companies

Israel's 2nd largest weapon company. Makes surveillance and killer drones and other weapon systems used against civilians. Has facilities in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights.