Africa-Press – Lesotho. Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is under fire after the UN identified ACS, his construction group, among companies tied to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, considered illegal under international law.
The announcement comes as global attention turns to the Middle East during the UN General Assembly in New York, with several countries — including France, the UK, Canada, and Australia — moving to recognize the Palestinian state. The listing, which includes 158 companies, does not impose legal sanctions but serves as a warning about complicity in human rights violations.
Alongside ACS, other Spanish firms such as Ineco, CAF, and SEMI were cited for their role in infrastructure projects like Jerusalem’s light rail, which links the city to settlements. Ineco insists its contracts remain within internationally recognized borders and that it stopped accepting new projects in 2023. ACS has strongly denied involvement in settlements, with Pérez calling the UN’s decision unjustified and demanding immediate removal from the list. CAF also defended its €1.8 billion rail contract, arguing it benefits local populations and respects international standards.
The UN’s database also includes major international companies such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, Motorola, and French firm Egis, highlighting the global reach of business activity in disputed territories. While the listing carries no direct penalties, it carries reputational weight. In Spain, the controversy resonates loudly: Pérez, both a football powerbroker and a business magnate, finds himself at the heart of a political storm as the Sánchez government deepens its support for the Palestinian cause.
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