**UN Expert Urges Global Corporations to Sever Ties with Israel Amidst War Crimes Allegations**

A recent report by a United Nations expert has urged multinational companies to cease their business relations with Israel, labeling their involvement as potential complicity in alleged war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank. Francesca Albanese, a special rapporteur and international lawyer, made her case during a presentation to the UN Human Rights Council. She depicted the situation as an economic arrangement fostering what she termed an "economy of genocide," highlighting the role of advanced military technology and weapons sales in the ongoing conflict.

In her detailed findings, Albanese pinpointed multiple major corporations, including arms manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and tech giants like IBM and Microsoft, asserting these businesses are profiting from systems integral to Israel’s military operations. Additionally, she cited various financial institutions, claiming their investments have been vital to sustaining Israeli military efforts. Responses from named companies ranged from defense of their operations as government transactions to outright dismissal of the accusations as unfounded. The report addressed not only legal implications but also suggested a historical parallel to the global disinvestment movement against apartheid South Africa, prompting potential shifts in consumer behavior as well. As international discourse continues around complicity and accountability, the implications for these corporations, paired with political maneuvers from global powers, remain to be seen.

Albanese’s accusations further emphasize the precarious intersection of business practices, ethical considerations, and international human rights standards, surfacing significant global dialogue about corporate responsibility in conflict zones.