Shipping giant MSC facilitates trade from Israeli settlements through EU

Al JazeeraEN 7 min read 100% complete by Federica MarsiFebruary 9, 2026 at 10:59 AM

AI Summary

long article 7 min

A joint investigation by Al Jazeera and the Palestinian Youth Movement revealed that Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world's largest shipping line, facilitated trade from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank to the US and Europe between January and November 2025. Commercial documents show MSC handled at least 957 shipments from these settlements to the US, with 529 transiting through European ports in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Belgium. These shipments included goods ranging from food and textiles to skincare and natural stones. According to international law experts, Israeli settlements are widely considered illegal, and commercializing products from them supports the settlements. The investigation highlights the role of cargo shipping companies and European ports in transporting goods from these settlements despite their disputed legality.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Italy 30% Rafaela Aponte-Diamant 40% Nicola Perugini ×240% Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) 50% Gianluigi Aponte 50% Al Jazeera ×260% United States 60% Israel ×460% European Union 70% West Bank ×380% Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) ×490% Israeli settlements ×795%

Keywords

israeli settlements 100% trade 90% shipping 80% occupied west bank 70% mediterranean shipping company 60% international law 60% illegal settlements 50% european ports 50% cargo 40%