Florencio Pérez is being looked at by the UN because he has ties to Israeli communities

Florentino Pérez, the president of Real Madrid, is facing criticism after the UN named his construction company, ACS, as one of the businesses connected to West Bank Israeli settlements that violate international law.

The move comes as the UN General Assembly in New York draws attention to the Middle East and a number of nations, including France, the UK, Canada, and Australia, are taking steps to recognize the Palestinian state. The 158 companies on the list serve as a warning against complicity in human rights crimes but do not carry any legal repercussions.

Other Spanish companies, like ACS, Ineco, CAF, and SEMI, were also mentioned for their contributions to infrastructure projects, such as the light rail system connecting Jerusalem to settlements. Ineco maintains that it stopped taking on new projects in 2023 and that its contracts stay inside internationally recognized borders. ACS has vehemently denied any role in settlements, and Pérez has demanded that the organization be taken off the list right away, calling the UN’s decision “unjustified.” Additionally, CAF defended its €1.8 billion rail contract, claiming it upholds international standards and benefits local communities.

The global reach of corporate activity in disputed regions is further demonstrated by the inclusion of significant international corporations in the UN database, including Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, Motorola, and the French company Egis. The listing has reputational weight even though there are no immediate sanctions. The dispute reverberates in Spain: Pérez, a corporate tycoon and football powerbroker, is at the center of a political uproar as the Sánchez administration strengthens its backing for the Palestinian cause.