In July 2024, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion declaring Israel’s presence in the occupied territories illegal and calling for a swift end to both military occupation and settlement activity.
UNI Global Union renewed its global labor agreement with BNP Paribas in November 2024. The agreement includes commitments from both parties to respect internationally recognized human rights standards: “In the framework of this agreement, the parties undertake to continue to support and to promote respect for internationally recognized human rights. They confirm their support for the United Nations Guiding Principles pertaining to companies and human rights, in accordance with the reference framework ‘Protect, Respect, Remedy’. BNP Paribas undertakes to promote respect for human rights within the sphere of influence, i.e. among employees, suppliers, customers and the communities within which it exercises its activities. In particular, the Group does not wish to participate in any violation whatsoever concerning human rights through its investment and financing activities.”
On October 8th, UNI Global Union sent a letter to BNP Paribas CEO Jean-Laurent Bonnafé urging immediate action: “honour this commitment and urgently take decisive action within its sphere of influence to end any identified or suspected complicity in human rights violations and international crimes against the Palestinian people.”
BNP Paribas’ own Statement on Human Rights also affirms a commitment “to respecting and promoting human rights at the highest level within BNP Paribas’ sphere of influence,” including all relationships with stakeholders potentially affected by projects financed by the group.
Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, said: “BNP Paribas made a promise not to contribute to human rights violations – now it’s time they stuck to their word and end any financial involvement that supports Israel’s illegal expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories. We call on the bank to carry out rigorous due diligence on its ties to the West Bank and take all necessary steps to stop financing activities that violate human rights and drive the dispossession of Palestinian people.”
UNI represents workers at BNP Paribas through affiliated unions such as FBA-CFDT, FEC-FO, and FSPBA-CGT in France.
Béatrice Lepagnol, General Secretary of Fédération CFDT Banques et Assurances (FBA CFDT), said: “The CFDT Banking and Insurance Federation welcomed the signing of the global agreement with BNP Paribas, and we are deeply shocked to learn of the existence of these investment and financing activities related to illegal settlements in the West Bank. They represent a very serious violation of human rights, which are already widely abused in the occupied Palestinian territories, and they contravene both the UN Guiding Principles and the OECD Guidelines.
“The FBA CFDT calls on BNP Paribas to conduct a thorough audit to fully comply with its due diligence obligations, to take all necessary measures to end any direct or indirect involvement in these practices, and to strengthen its internal procedures to prevent any recurrence.
“The FBA CFDT will closely monitor the progress of this process at every stage.”
Sebastien Bousiris, General Secretary of FEC FO added: “The FEC FO acknowledges the Oxfam report of September 15 and supports UNI’s approach to BNP Paribas regarding its links with illegal settlements in the West Bank. We reiterate the absolute requirement for financial actors to respect international law and human rights. We call for enhanced due diligence, published corrective measures, and, where necessary, responsible disengagement. These commitments must translate into verifiable and transparent actions as soon as possible.”
The Don’t Buy into Occupation Report 2024 provides further details about financial links between European banks—including BNP Paribas—and businesses connected with Israeli settlements (https://dontbuyintooccupation.org/reports/dont-buy-into-occupation-report-2024/).
UNI Global Union brings together more than 20 million service sector workers worldwide across banking and insurance industries in over 150 countries.
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