The UN human rights office has added 61 companies to its database of businesses allegedly linked to Israeli settlements and violations of Palestinian rights in the occupied West Bank. The update brings the total to 214 firms and is intended to pressure companies to assess and end potential involvement, although the UN has no power to compel action.

Most listed companies are Israeli, while the firms collectively come from 11 countries; five companies were removed from last year’s list. Israel rejected the database, saying the businesses had committed no wrongdoing, while UN human rights chief Volker Türk said companies have responsibilities to conduct due diligence. The report follows new scrutiny of settlements, including trade restrictions announced by Britain, France and Canada.