The Trump administration has formally requested that the U.N. remove Francesca Albanese from her role as the special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, citing her “virulent antisemitism and support for terrorism”. It seems her most recent report, explaining the corporate interests benefiting from the Israeli genocide has made him angry. Why? See our interview with Michael Lynk.

Israel’s genocide against Palestinians is being sustained by corporate greed, a UN expert warned in a new report to the Human Rights Council that reveals how corporations benefit from Israel’s illegal presence and actions.

“In the past 21 months, while Israel’s genocide has devastated Palestinian lives and landscapes, the Tel Aviv stock exchange soared by 213 percent (USD), amassing $225.7 billion in market gains—including $67.8 billion in the past month alone. For some, genocide is profitable,” said Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.

The key findings in her report report officially titled “From economy of occupation to economy of genocide” include accusations against many American and European companies:

• Technology Companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, IBM, HP, Google and Palantir
• Defense and Arms Companies like Locheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics and Airbus
• Manufacturing companies like Caterpillar, Volvo and Hundyai
• Tourism related companies like Booking.com and AirBnB
• and many more.

Canadian involvement

Albanese also identifies major Canadian pension funds which are heavily invested in these companies.  For example, the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec has almost CA$9.6 billion invested in the companies named in the report, despite its ethical investment and human rights policy.

There are 4 companies on the “Who Profits Database of Complicit Companies” (an organization Albanese cites extensively) whose main headquarters are listed in Canada. 

• Aldo Canada, (services to the Settlements)
• WSP Global, (Israeli Construction)
• EffiSolar Enterprises Inc.
•  The Metrontario Group

Previous UN Special Rapporteur reports have criticized the Israeli government for its actions and Western governments for their inaction. This one is different in that it addresses the economic issues and corporate interests that are bound up with supporting the Israeli genocide.

CTIP spoke to former UN rapporteur Michael Lynk, about the significance of the report, and what Canada (and Canadians) could or should do about it.

It would be an big task to analyse the extent to which various Canadian pension funds are invested in Israel, but readers could check out their pension managers and urge them to investigate and divest.

Nobel Prize for Albanese?

A movement is growing to nominate Francesca Albanese for the Nobel Peace Prize. Its a fitting response to Mr. Trump who was nominated by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for the same honour. A petition has gathered over a quarter million signatures in a week. See HERE.

Canada Talks Israel Palestine (CTIP) is the weekly newsletter of the Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine (OFIP). It aims to promote a serious discussion in Canada about Canada’s response to the Israel/Palestine issue with a focus on the truth, clear analysis and human rights for all. Readers with different points of view are invited to make comment.
Want to learn more about us? Go to Ottawa Forum on Israel/Palestine.ca