Amnesty International has published a new briefing[1] accusing states, public institutions, and major companies of sustaining Israel’s control over Palestinian territories and its military operations in Gaza. The organisation argues that the occupation, which international courts have already ruled unlawful, is supported by global political and economic structures that enable ongoing violations of international law.
Arms Transfers and Trade Connections
The report was released on the anniversary of a 2024 United Nations resolution that instructed Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories within one year. Amnesty says that the deadline has now passed without compliance and that attacks, civilian suffering, and food shortages continue.
The organisation is calling for immediate bans on the export of weapons, surveillance systems, and military technology to Israel. It also wants restrictions on re-export arrangements that allow such equipment to reach Israel through third states. Amnesty adds that suspending arms flows alone is not enough, urging governments to block contracts, licences, and financial dealings with companies that supply equipment for settlement activities or military operations.
Businesses Cited in the Briefing
Amnesty names fifteen firms across several industries. They include American defence contractors Boeing and Lockheed Martin, Israeli weapons manufacturers Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, and Israel Aerospace Industries, and technology companies such as Palantir (a US-based company), Hikvision (a china-based company), and Corsight. Other firms mentioned are the Spanish train manufacturer CAF, South Korea’s HD Hyundai, and Israel’s state-owned water utility Mekorot.
The briefing describes how Boeing bombs and Lockheed Martin aircraft have been used in Gaza airstrikes that killed large numbers of civilians. It also details the role of Israeli companies in providing drones, ammunition, and border control systems. Surveillance technology supplied by Hikvision and Corsight is linked to security measures described as enforcing apartheid conditions. Mekorot is accused of operating water networks in a way that favours Israeli settlements over Palestinian communities.
The report also recalls previous criticism of travel companies Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and TripAdvisor for continuing to list properties located in Israeli settlements.
Technology Giants Under Scrutiny
While Amnesty’s briefing focuses on arms producers, infrastructure firms, and surveillance companies, separate recent reports have also examined the role of large US technology corporations in Israel’s security operations. Reports published over the past year describe how Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and OpenAI have supplied cloud services and artificial intelligence tools later used by Israeli authorities for surveillance and intelligence work in Gaza and the West Bank.
According to leaked documents, Microsoft gave Israel’s Unit 8200, a military intelligence branch, a segregated space on its Azure cloud to store mass recordings of Palestinian phone calls[2]. Analysts say this information helped guide some military activity. Microsoft also delivered translation services and AI tools to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Independent reviews have not confirmed a direct link to civilian harm but accepted that such applications carry significant risks.
Google and Amazon face criticism for their participation in Project Nimbus,[3] a cloud services contract signed with the Israeli government in 2021. The deal grants Israeli ministries and agencies access to computing infrastructure. Critics argue that the project strengthens state surveillance and decision-making tied to military operations. Employees at both companies have staged protests over the lack of oversight and safeguards.
Meta has also faced criticism[4] for content moderation policies that restricted pro-Palestinian voices[5] on Facebook and Instagram, with digital rights groups arguing that the company applied its rules unevenly during the Gaza conflict.
States and Companies Urged to Act
Amnesty calls on governments to enforce sanctions that include travel bans, asset freezes, and restrictions on trade shows, research projects, and public contracts for companies involved in supplying Israel with settlement-related or military goods.
The organisation also rejects the idea that companies can remain neutral, saying that continued business ties risk both reputational damage and possible legal accountability under international law.
International Legal Background
The report references key rulings by the International Court of Justice. In July 2024, the Court declared Israel’s occupation unlawful and said its policies in the territories amount to racial segregation. In January 2024, the Court warned of a risk of genocide in Gaza and ordered Israel to take preventive measures. Those warnings were repeated in March and May of that year.
Despite these rulings, Amnesty says Israel intensified its campaign in Gaza through late 2024 and into 2025, with widespread bombardments, forced displacement, and what it describes as deliberate deprivation of food supplies. By December 2024, Amnesty concluded that genocide was taking place, a position that has since gained support from several international legal experts.
Call for Public Pressure
Beyond governments and companies, the report urges civil society, universities, and investors to apply pressure by cutting ties with businesses linked to the occupation and military operations. Amnesty argues that consumer action and peaceful mobilisation are necessary to hold institutions accountable.
The central claim of the briefing is that Israel’s occupation and campaign in Gaza cannot continue without international support. Amnesty warns that unless states and corporations act now, they risk becoming complicit in serious breaches of international law.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen.
Read next: “Scheming” AI: Why Deceptive Behavior Could Become a Bigger Risk as Models Grow Smarter[6]
References
- ^ has published a new briefing (www.amnesty.org)
- ^ Microsoft gave Israel’s Unit 8200, a military intelligence branch, a segregated space on its Azure cloud to store mass recordings of Palestinian phone calls (www.digitalinformationworld.com)
- ^ Project Nimbus, (www.digitalinformationworld.com)
- ^ faced criticism (www.digitalinformationworld.com)
- ^ restricted pro-Palestinian voices (www.digitalinformationworld.com)
- ^ “Scheming” AI: Why Deceptive Behavior Could Become a Bigger Risk as Models Grow Smarter (www.digitalinformationworld.com)