The recent report reveals that Etsy, an American e-commerce platform, is linked to numerous shops operating in Israeli settlements deemed illegal by the UN and international law. Here are the key points from the report:
Business with Illegal Settlements: The report, published by the Institute for Journalism and Social Change, Global Justice Now, and War on Want, identifies at least 44 Etsy stores in 16 illegal Israeli settlements as of July. These settlements are considered unlawful under international law.
Allegations of Profiting: Critics argue that Etsy is not only ignoring the legality of these stores but is also profiting from and promoting businesses in these settlements. Nick Dearden of Global Justice Now suggests that Etsy's involvement could imply complicity in war crimes.
Locations and Impact: Most of the identified stores are located in the West Bank, particularly in Ariel and Maale Adumim—settlements frequently associated with conflict. The report also suggests that many more sellers listed under "Israel" might be based in illegal settlements.
Corporate Responsibility: Claire Provost, co-author of the report, emphasizes that despite known connections, these issues have not been adequately addressed. The report highlights that such corporate involvement could contribute to broader complicity in Israeli policies affecting Palestinians.
Legal and Financial Concerns: Etsy operates in Israel through Etsy Ireland UC. There are concerns that funds from these settlement businesses might enter the Irish financial system, potentially leading to legal implications such as money laundering. This follows a similar investigation involving booking.com in the Netherlands.
Etsy’s Response: Etsy has stated that it disagrees with the allegations and points out that no laws explicitly prohibit listings from illegal Israeli settlements. However, the company has announced an internal review and aims to comply with relevant laws, including anti-money laundering and sanctions regulations.
Campaigners’ Stance: Neil Sammonds from War on Want argues that Etsy’s activities in these settlements contribute to broader human rights violations, including forced displacement and apartheid. He calls for Etsy to halt its involvement in these settlements.
This report could impact Etsy’s operations and legal standing, especially if further investigations reveal deeper connections and financial implications related to these settlements.