The Responsibility of Businesses Operating in the Settlements in Occupied Territory

This chapter examines standards of conduct applicable to businesses operating in civilian settlements in occupied territory, focusing on the Israeli settlements in the West Bank as a case study. It reviews the legal bodies which govern settlement projects and their applicability to businesses. Noting that businesses are not bound by international law directly, the chapter proceeds to examine the responsibility of businesses involved in settlements under the emerging soft law standards on businesses and human rights, namely the UN’s ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework. Some businesses directly contribute to violations of human rights on which the settlement project is inextricably dependent. Businesses operating on a regular basis in settlements benefit from such violations and contribute to their perpetuation. The chapter examines the practical implications of these forms of responsibility in light of the UN Framework and of domestic law.