Five human rights organisations have filed a landmark case before France's highest administrative court, accusing the French government of failing to prevent companies and financial institutions from supporting Israel's unlawful occupation of the occupied Palestinian territory.
The lawsuit claims that France is ignoring its legal obligations under the International Court of Justice's 2024 advisory opinion, which found Israel's occupation unlawful and said states must not aid or assist it, including through trade and investment. Despite backing the ruling and recognising the State of Palestine, France has not introduced binding measures to regulate corporate involvement.
The organisations are asking the court to compel France to block occupation-linked trade and investment, regulate corporate activity and ensure businesses under its jurisdiction comply with international law. The case could set a major precedent for how states must act to prevent corporate complicity in violations of international law.
