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UN expands list of companies operating in West Bank settlements
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<span class="field field-title">UN expands list of companies operating in West Bank settlements</span>
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<div class="field field-field-text"><p>The United Nations human rights office issued a list on Friday adding 61 more companies operating in Israeli West Bank settlements, which the global body considers illegal.</p>
<p>The database is highly sensitive as firms could be targeted for boycotts or divestment to pressure Israel over settler expansion in the territory that is home to over 3 million Palestinians.</p>
<p>The database, first released in 2020, now includes 214 firms, mostly from Israel, but also from 10 other countries including France, Germany, China and the US. </p>
<p>Newly added firms included Israeli pesticides maker ADAMA, part of Chinese-owned Syngenta Group, Israel-based real estate investment holding company Alony Hetz and Spain's Salvat Logistica.</p>
<p>They did not immediately respond to a request for comment on their inclusion in the UN database.</p>
<p>They joined companies such as travel agency Expedia and home-rental company Airbnb already on the list. </p>
<p><em>Report by Reuters</em></p>
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