A new publication by SOMO, Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations, Powering Injustice examines how foreign trade and investment in Israel’s energy sector may contribute to grave violations of international law being perpetrated by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in Gaza. It considers the legal obligations of states and the liabilities of companies involved in the supply of energy to Israel companies to ensure they are not contributing to violations of international law.
The report exposes:
• The role of imported crude oil and fuel in enabling Israel’s war crimes and possible genocide in Gaza, and in contributing to maintaining Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.
• The role that foreign trade and investment in energy sources plays in assisting the maintenance of illegal settlements.
Key findings:
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• Israel’s military operations and unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory depend heavily on imported crude oil and fuels, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
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• SOMO identified deliveries of crude oil and liquid fuels to Israel in the last year, involving the United States (U.S.), Brazil, and Azerbaijan amongst largest suppliers. Data also shows deliveries coming from Greece, Albania and Kazakhstan, among others, with military jet fuel coming from the U.S.
• These imports enable war crimes and the genocide unfolding in Gaza.
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• Under the Genocide Convention, foreign governments have a duty to act to prevent genocide in Gaza.
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• Israel’s electricity grid, powered predominantly by natural gas and renewable energy as well as foreign-supplied coal, services both Israeli civilians in Israel as well as the illegal Israeli settlements in occupied territory.
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• The foreign supply of coal from Russia and South Africa, along with foreign investments in gas extraction and renewable energy projects powering Israel`s electricity grid, constitute trade and investment activities that "assist in maintaining the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory." In July, the International Court of Justice determined that states have an obligation to prevent such trade and investment.
SOMO’s recommendations:
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- States must cease fuel supplies to Israel unless assured of exclusive non-military use. This includes banning the export of crude oil and other fuels, as well as prohibiting their transport through national territories.
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- Companies in the fuel supply chain—including jet fuel, crude oil, refined oils, and coal—must urgently review their engagement. Enhanced due diligence is crucial to identify the risks of contributing to international law violations.
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- Where risks cannot be mitigated, companies should divest or disengage from these supply chain relationships.
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- Home states of multinationals which are invested in gas exploitation in Israel and renewable energy projects in Israel should take steps to prevent such investment relations because they risk assisting in the maintenance of the illegal settlements.
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- Companies engaged in coal exports, gas extraction, or renewable energy projects linked to Israel must act to prevent their involvement, or risk of involvement in violations of, or crimes under, international law.
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• Download Powering Injustice
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• View a podcast in which Lydia de Leeuw (one of the report authors) is interviewed about the research findings and its implications.
Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen (SOMO)
Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations
Amsterdam, Netherlands
| Themes |
| • Displaced • Indigenous peoples • International • People under occupation • Refugees |
