On corporate support for Israel’s occupation

Rights groups sue France over failure to prevent corporate support for Israel’s occupation

 

Five human rights organisations filed a legal challenge this Wednesday before the Conseil d’État, France’s highest administrative court, seeking an order requiring the French government to adopt effective measures to prevent French corporate and financial actors from contributing to Israel’s unlawful occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). 

Paris, 22 July 2026. The plaintiffs–the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Jurists for the Respect of International Law (JURDI), the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), La Ligue des droits humains (LDH) and Law for Palestine–argue that France has failed to meet its obligations under international law by not implementing effective measures to prevent companies and financial institutions from engaging in trade, investment, and other commercial activities that sustain Israel’s continued unlawful presence in the OPT. They are represented by Henri Thulliez, Yacine Baita, and Frédéric Thiriez, and advised by Open Society Justice Initiative. The defendants include the French Prime Minister and several ministers responsible for the economy, foreign affairs, and commerce.

The case builds on the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in which the Court said it is of the opinion that Israel’s continued presence in the OPT is unlawful and clarified that all states are obligated not to recognise as legal the situation arising from Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and to neither render aid nor assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s continued presence in the OPT. The World Court further clarified that states must take steps to prevent trade and investment relations that contribute to the illegal occupation. The applicants contend that France has not translated these obligations into concrete regulatory or enforcement measures.

James Goldston, Executive Director of Open Society Justice Initiative, said "The International Court of Justice left no doubt that states cannot stand on the sidelines when faced with legal obligations. This case is about ensuring that France halts any aid or assistance for the unlawful occupation of Palestine. International law only has force if states are prepared to implement it in practice."

Ihsan Adel, Founder and Chair of Law for Palestine, stressed that "States cannot comply with their obligations while settlement goods remain on their markets and corporations continue settlement-related business activities."

The ICJ’s position on third-states obligations towards the situation in the OPT underscore that the occupation has been sustained not only by military force but also by the economic support of third states and private actors to the detriment of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and sovereignty over their land and resources.

Alexis Deswaef, President of FIDH, described the case "as an opportunity for the Conseil d’État to take a strong stance and reaffirm the State’s responsibilities with respect to corporate activities in occupied Palestine."

Ghislain Poissonnier, Vice President for JURDI, said: "JURDI notes that despite the ICJ’s 2024 Advisory Opinion, deeming the occupation illegal, France has not acted, making legal action necessary to end its corporate support to the illegal situation in occupied Palestine".

Although France recognised the State of Palestine in September 2025, it has not implemented effective measures that address any economic and commercial relations linked to the illegal occupation.

Before filing the case, the plaintiffs formally requested that the French government adopt measures to comply with the binding legal obligations set out in the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion, including preventing trade and investment that sustain the unlawful situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and ensuring French companies do not contribute to it. The government did not respond but issued new recommendations to French businesses operating in the settlements on June 30th, 2026, that expose "themselves to the risk of being found guilty of violating international law".

For the claimants, the government failed to respond to their request, which amounts to an implicit administrative decision allowing the plaintiffs to challenge it before the Conseil d’État. They argue that this inaction contradicts France’s own public support for the Advisory Opinion and its acknowledgment of the duty to distinguish between Israel and the OPT in economic dealings. Citing evidence that French companies continue operating in sectors such as transportation, construction, finance, and commercial services in the OPT, the plaintiffs contend that France has failed to regulate corporate conduct and prevent businesses from contributing to violations of Palestinians’ rights. They are asking the Conseil d’État to declare the State’s inaction unlawful and order measures to ensure compliance with international law, including restrictions on occupation-linked trade and investment, corporate safeguards, and monitoring mechanisms.

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Read our Questions and answers here.

Mamdani on Netanyahu

 

'Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal.'

- Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

"The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu for a reason. He should be arrested and stand trial. My administration examined every legal avenue available to determine whether New York City could execute that warrant. The law is clear: we do not have that authority. The federal government does." 

"So we are calling on the United States to uphold international law, cooperate with the ICC, apprehend Benjamin Netanyahu and transfer him to The Hague to face justice. We cannot end this genocide on our own. But we can use every tool available to defend humanity and uphold justice. That is the responsibility of this city. And it is my commitment as mayor."

Stop atrocities in Sudan's El-Obeid

 

G7, EU urge halt to attacks in Sudan's El-Obeid, calls for wider arms embargo

G7 foreign ministers and the European Union's foreign policy chief on Wednesday urged Sudan's Rapid Support Forces and allied armed groups to stop all actions that could lead to further atrocities or endanger civilians in El-Obeid.

Displaced women in El Obeid (Reuters)

"We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union urge the Rapid Support Forces and allied armed groups to immediately cease any action likely to lead to further atrocities or endanger civilians in El-Obeid, including drone strikes and impediments to humanitarian access," the statement reads.

The ministers also called on all parties, including the Sudanese army, to cease hostilities, allow aid access and engage in good-faith talks.

"Following the atrocities committed during the Rapid Support Forces’ siege and attack on El Fasher, we remain gravely concerned about alleged severe violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law across Kordofan and Darfur regions, as well as Blue Nile in Sudan," the statement continues.

The countries urge the Rapid Support Forces, as well as the Sudanese Armed Forces and allied armed groups, "to abide by their obligations under the rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as applicable," it adds, as "civilians must be protected."

The G7 therefore calls on parties to the conflict to guarantee safe voluntary passage, and to facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access into and around El-Obeid and throughout the country.

Ministers also backed United Nations' efforts to de-escalate the crisis, called on the UN Security Council to expand the Darfur arms embargo to all of Sudan, urged external actors to halt military and financial support to the warring sides, and vowed to promote accountability for violations while supporting Sudan's unity and democratic aspirations.

"We support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mr. Pekka Haavisto, to advance de-escalation in El-Obeid and support ongoing broader efforts by the Quad and the Quintet to achieve a humanitarian truce, followed by a permanent ceasefire and an independent, inclusive, transparent and civilian-led political dialogue," the statement reads.

Spiralling crisis

Sudan has been at war since April 2023, with serious reports of human rights violations and crimes against humanity.

This war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, now in its fourth year, has displaced millions and devastated much of the country. Aid agencies have repeatedly warned of worsening food insecurity and limited humanitarian access.

The conflict has been described as the current worst humaniratian crisis in the world by the UN.

According to a senior World Food Programme (WFP) official, the country now risks sliding backwards into deeper hunger as conflict, aid funding cuts and rising agricultural costs driven by disruption linked to the Iran war threaten to reverse gains made after famine took hold in parts of the country, said on Tuesday.

Around 5 million people facing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger, even after an intensive aid response helped reduce the number of people in famine-like conditions, Carl Skau, the WFP's acting executive director, told Reuters.

"It's a massive crisis, both in terms of numbers, but also the gravity," he said, adding that more than 100,000 people were still facing famine-like conditions, placing them in the highest level of the UN-backed IPC hunger classification.

"With these kinds of numbers in IPC (Phase) 5 starvation it is extremely, extremely serious," he said.

Across Sudan, nearly 19.5 million people face high levels of acute food insecurity, according to the IPC.

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On the evolution of the war, you can also listen to our recent podcast episode:

Sudan: Three years of war and new reports of meddling by Ethiopia

Gorillaz

 

Gorillaz - 'Damascus' 

(ft. Omar Souleyman & Yasiin Bey) 

 Live Together For Palestine

'Comfortably Numb Re-Imagined' for Palestine

 

Roger Waters & Mona Miari – 'Comfortably Numb Re-Imagined' (Official Music Video)

A new interpretation of “Comfortably Numb”, a collaboration between Roger Waters and Palestinian artist Mona Miari.

Featuring newly written verses in English and Arabic, the work reframes the song through themes of displacement, memory, loss, and the enduring pursuit of justice and human dignity. Created with artists from Palestine and beyond, this audio-visual piece transcends borders and languages, offering a powerful reflection on resilience, truth, and the shared humanity that binds us all.

Donate to PCRF: https://give.pcrf.net/campaign/pcrf-f... If this project resonates with you, please like, comment, share, and subscribe. Every share helps our message reach new audiences around the world. https://comfortablynumbreimagined.com

Uganda media shutdown - Update

 

Journalists fear harsher clampdown in Uganda after army chief's shutdown of media

The most prominent media in Uganda are still unable to operate after the army chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, also the son of President Museveni and his potential successor, ordered a military shutdown on Sunday of the largest group's headquarters in Kampala. The move is generating strong criticisms.

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Melissa Chemam

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The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) condemned in a statement a "naked act of aggression and attack on media freedom", and called for the "immediate reopening of these media houses".

It added that journalists and media workers should be allowed "to continue their work without any form of harassment and intimidation."

FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman said that "the deployment of soldiers to storm and shut down Uganda's leading independent media houses is one of the clearest manifestations of authoritarian rule and the deepening culture of impunity that now silences the few remaining foundations of democratic governance in the country."

A veteran journalist from the channel told AFP on condition of anonymity on Sunday: "We were shut down by the army—both the studios and the NTV offices. He added: "No one is allowed in or out. Those who were working last night were ordered to leave by the army."

Nation Media Group (NMG) Uganda, which owns NTV Uganda and Spark TV, said it remained under military siege throughout Sunday, "with several armed personnel deployed at its headquarters in Namuwongo and broadcast centres at the Kampala Serena International Conference Centre."

Both channels are still off air on Monday, disrupting the country's largest independent media house's work.

Late on Sunday, veteran journalist and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) leader Andrew Mwenda said an agreement had been reached with the army chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to reopen NTV Uganda and the nation's largest independent English-language daily newspaper.

But on Monday, NMG said they hadn't received any official communication.

Kainerugaba "has over the past months become very influential on almost everything in the country," a freelance journalist told me. "He makes orders on social media, which lead to arrests of people. To him, it displays pure abuse of power."

Attacks on journalism

NMG is the largest independent media house in East and Central Africa with operations in print, broadcast and digital media which attract, serving the largest audiences across East Africa.

In Uganda, NMG also owns the Daily Monitor, The East African, 93.3 KFM, 90.4 Dembe FM, Ennyanda newspaper and the Nation Courier, among other media platforms and investments.

The Daily Monitor reported on Sunday that military personnel had been deployed at NMG's premises in the capital, Kampala, and that staff were being prevented from leaving or entering the premises.

NTV Uganda and other NMG TV and radio broadcasters in the country were all down as of Sunday early morning, from 5am.

Uganda's military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also President Yoweri Museveni's son, announced on Sunday that he had ordered the closure of two leading media outlets, declaring that he did "not believe in a free press".

Kainerugaba wrote on his X social media account that the Daily Monitor - Uganda's largest independent daily newspaper - and NTV Uganda, one of the country's largest private broadcasters, would "not reopen without my permission".

"In Uganda, I do not believe in a free press! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution," Kainerugaba stated in a series of threatening posts on the platform.

He added: "The closure of NTV and Monitor is just the beginning. We are going to arrest many more."

The government of Museveni already shut down the Daily Monitor for 10 days in 2013 over reports regarding his succession.

Kainerugaba has been mentioned as a likely successor to his ageing father, especially after January's elections.

Museveni has ruled the country since 1986. His son is known for his controversial social media posts, which included threats to "behead" the opposition leader Bobi Wine.

Condamnations

'It is a true sign of state capture', a reader of the Monitor wrote on social media.

Lwanga Majja Achillis, a lawyer and campaigner, wrote: "Civic responsibility means respecting institutions, the rule of law and press freedom. Shutting down media houses bse of criticism only proves that our greatest obstacle to progress is often ourselves, not our past."

Regional and international media bodies condemned the developments and called for restraint.

The East African Press Councils (EAPC) urged governments across the region to de-escalate hostilities with the media, saying the shutdown of NMG operations in Uganda reflected "growing pressure on independent journalism."

"This violates constitutional, regional and global human rights State obligations, including denial of right to access information and endangering the lives of journalists," read the EAPC statement signed by its Chairperson David Omwoyo, who is also the Media Council of Kenya CEO.

The East Africa Journalists Federation (EAJF) also condemned the crackdown saying: "We wish to remind Gen Muhoozi that terrorising the media is no solution to challenges the country is facing and fast-fading public trust in President Museveni's regime.”

International bodies Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Amnesty, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also strongly condemned the shutdown.

CPJ wrote on X the group called "on the Ugandan authorities to immediately restore broadcasts, end the security operation at Nation Media Group, publicly reaffirm respect for press freedom, and ensure that journalists can carry out their work without interference or fear of reprisal."

Media shutdown in Uganda

 

In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni's son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is the head of the military, and this Sunday, he ordered the shutdown of newspapers, TV station and radio outlets, including NTV and the Monitor.  

Uganda's leading independent media group said it was under "military siege" on Sunday. This comes amid a widespread crackdown on free speech, accelerated by the army chief.

"NTV and Moniter (sic) are being shut down from today!" Kainerugaba wrote on social media platform X, referring to NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor, both part of the Nation Media Group.

"In Uganda, I DO NOT believe in a free press! The press should be guided by cadres of the revolution," he added.

He also threatened to close more media outlets: "The closure of NTV and Monitor is just the beginning. We are going to arrest many more," he added on X.

Muhoozi Kainerugaba

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Ugandan journalists are appalled and afraid...

Other outlets, including Dembe FM, Spark TV, KFM, and The East African, are also affected.

One told me an hour ago: "It seems that he is the one running the show. He has over the past months, become very influential on almost every thing in the country. He makes orders on social media and orders arrests of people."

To him, it displays pure abuse of power.

"That man is just out of control. He has a cultic following that selfishly trying to make personal gains by boosting his ego."

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The Daily Monitor was launched in 1992 and became one of Uganda's most influential independent newspapers and has often been seen as an irritation by Museveni's government.

Kainerugaba confirmed on X that the orders had been approved by his father, Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for 40 years.

Museveni, 81, won another term in January but many see his son as positioning himself to take over.

I was expecting to go, but I wasn't able to get the press accreditation, which is now over $1000, and most of my colleagues were expelled anyway after a couple of days.

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For more on the situation in Uganda since the general "elections" in January, my podcast episode from earlier this year: Lack of democracy and military grip...

https://www.rfi.fr/en/podcasts/spotlight-on-africa/20260120-spotlight-on-africa-uganda-vote-and-somaliland-recognition-roil-east-africa

newsletter - end of June 2026

 

Artist Grada Kilomba on her monument for lost Rwandan lives. And the fate of DRC's coltan...

In a podcast episode, I speak to the artist on how she chose to represent a genocide. I also interviewed Global Witness on their latest report on critical minerals from the DR Congo.

Melissa Chemam

Jun 24, 2026

Artist Grada Kilomba on her monument for lost Rwandan lives. And the fate of DRC's coltan...

In a podcast episode, I speak to the artist on how she chose to represent a genocide. I also interviewed Global Witness on their latest report on critical minerals from the DR Congo.

Melissa Chemam

Jun 24, 2026