NGOs take France to court over companies’ links to Israeli settlements
The legal action, which draws on an advisory opinion issued on 19 July, 2024 by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations' highest judicial body, is being led by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Juristes pour le respect du droit international (JURDI), the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), the Ligue des droits humains (LDH), and Law for Palestine.
In its opinion, the ICJ found that “Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful” and stated in particular that UN member states must “take measures to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in maintaining” this “unlawful situation”.
According to the five organisations:“France has not translated these obligations into concrete regulatory or coercive measures."
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They are asking the Conseil d'État to “declare the State's inaction unlawful and to order measures ensuring compliance with international law, including restrictions on trade and investment linked to the occupation, safeguards for companies, as well as monitoring mechanisms”. Israeli bulldozers break ground on land belonging to Palestinian Etaf Jaradat from Silat al-Harithiya to reportedly make way for the construction of settlements in the Sarouj area, in the occupied West Bank on 22 December, 2025.
The applicants say they have identified several French companies operating in the settlements, including Egis and its subsidiary Egis Rail, both listed in a database compiled by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The two companies are said to be “involved in the construction of the Jerusalem light rail linking West Jerusalem to settlements established in East Jerusalem”.
They also refer to other French companies identified by the Israeli anti-settlement NGO Who Profits Research Center.
“The International Court of Justice left no room for doubt: states cannot remain bystanders in the face of their legal obligations,” said James Goldston, executive director of the Open Society Justice Initiative, which is advising the applicants.
“International law has force only if states are willing to implement it in practice,” he added.
The Israel-based watchdog NGO Monitor wrote in an emailed response to RFI that "FIDH is widely-known as an anti-Israel NGO,” adding that “its Palestinian partner organisations are linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terror organisation.
According to NGO Monitor, the lawsuit "has no judicial merit, and is part of the biased agenda that erases Hamas terror and the victims. This NGO receives French and EU taxpayer funds for political campaigns that use the facade of human rights, and fuel more conflict instead of helping to promote peace".
(with newswires)