Are multinational corporations like Unilever, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, LVMH, L’Oreal, BNP Paribas, Intel, and Bank of America supporting Israel through their operations in the region?
While these companies have established a presence in Israel, their involvement raises questions about potential political support or funding for specific causes or governments, underscoring the need to differentiate between business activities and potential support for controversial agendas.
Unilever
Unilever, known for brands like Cif and AXE, maintains an active presence in Israel, recently transferring Ben & Jerry’s business interests to a local licensee.
Despite affirming its commitment to Israel’s economy and society, Unilever’s operations in the region remain controversial, especially after Ben & Jerry’s decision to cease sales in the West Bank. While rejecting discrimination and intolerance, Unilever’s stance is met with skepticism amidst ongoing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
Nestle
Nestlé, known for brands like Maggi and Vittel, wields significant influence in Israel through its subsidiary Osem Investments Ltd. Initially a publicly traded entity, Osem was fully acquired by Nestlé in 1995, expanding Nestlé’s product marketing in Israel.
Under Osem Investments Ltd., Nestlé controls a diverse portfolio of brands, including Sabra Salads and Tivall, with approximately 2,000 products spanning various food segments. The acquisition of Tribe Mediterranean Foods Ltd. in 2008 signaled Nestlé’s strategic expansion into the US Mediterranean food market.
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is entrenched in Israel’s consumer goods market, offering popular products like Febreze and Ariel. Despite its claim to innovation, P&G’s hefty $2.0 billion annual investment in Research and Development raises eyebrows. The establishment of the Israel House of Innovation (IHI) is viewed skeptically, with concerns about potential exploitation of local talent.
Collaborations with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Powermat, alongside investment ties with Jay-Z, draw scrutiny over P&G’s motives. Its alliance with the Israeli Chief Scientist, offering local startups access to governmental funding, sparks suspicion of unfair advantages. While Israel’s tech prowess is enticing, P&G’s involvement is met with skepticism, seen as potentially opportunistic and exploitative.
Also See: Drinks Companies and the Israeli-Palestinian Situation
LVMH
LVMH, known for its high-end brands like Givenchy and Celine, might be involved in Israel’s specialized market. Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton, recently garnered attention for his strategic investment in Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz. Despite his reputation as the world’s richest man by Forbes, Arnault’s move raises concerns about the conglomerate’s interests.
Through his venture investment arm Aglaé Ventures, Arnault joined forces with Howard Schultz, the former CEO and chairman of Starbucks, to support Wiz’s cloud security solutions for enterprises. Despite Wiz’s rapid rise and notable backers like Sequoia Capital and Salesforce Ventures, Arnault’s investment in an Israeli tech firm is met with skepticism, questioning LVMH’s motives and priorities.
L’Oreal
L’Oreal, known for brands like Garnier and La Roche-Posay, faces criticism for its extensive ties to Israel, accused of supporting occupation and apartheid policies against Palestinians. The company’s operations in Israel, including a factory in Migdal Ha’emek on land formerly owned by Palestinians, have sparked condemnation.
Additionally, L’Oreal profits from Dead Sea minerals sourced from occupied areas, while collaborations with institutions like the Weizmann Institute of Science raise ethical concerns.
Despite past settlements over cooperation with boycotts of Israel, L’Oreal’s continued expansion in the region draws widespread condemnation and calls for boycotts due to perceived complicity in human rights violations and geopolitical conflicts.
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BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas slammed for bankrolling illegal Israeli settlements. Reports expose the French bank as a major source of funding, with billions pumped into companies accused of violating international law. This involvement has sparked outrage, with critics highlighting support for settlement-profiting companies like Booking.com and even Elbit Systems, a military supplier.
Despite warnings and being named by the UN, BNP Paribas remains entangled with these companies. The “Don’t Buy into Occupation” coalition relentlessly pressures for divestment, mounting pressure as the bank struggles to reconcile its actions with human rights policies.
Intel
Intel’s half-century presence in Israel has been marked by technological dominance, with notable achievements like the Centrino chip and cutting-edge Intel Core processors. With 11,700 employees, Intel is a significant employer in Israel’s high-tech industry.
Their economic influence is evident through $8.7 billion in exports, accounting for a notable percentage of the country’s high-tech exports and GDP. Intel’s investments of over $50 billion and community engagement, including volunteer work and donations, demonstrate their multifaceted impact beyond technological innovation.
Bank of America
Bank of America’s involvement in a loan deal with Elbit Systems Ltd. has sparked outrage and public criticism. The bank’s recent statement expressing support for Israel amid the conflict with Palestine has triggered discontent among employees, particularly those of Palestinian origin.
The statement overlooked Palestinian suffering in Gaza, leading to accusations of bias and ethical concerns. The bank’s decision to disable employee comments further fueled frustration.
From the facts above, it is clear that these brands and companies have contributed to providing economic support to Israel, a country known for its occupation of Palestinian land. As those focused on peace and anti-occupation, we are called upon not to buy and consume products from these brands and companies due to their strong economic ties with Israel as an occupier.