Green Party Byelection Candidate Niall Murphy Holds Shares in US Company Linked to Israeli Settlements
Green Party byelection candidate Niall Murphy owns shares in a US-based company that operates in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and has provided technology to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), according to public disclosures and verified reports.
The revelation, first highlighted by independent media outlet The Ditch, raises questions about the alignment of Murphy’s personal investments with the Green Party’s longstanding position on Palestinian rights and opposition to illegal settlements under international law.
UN Database Lists 158 Companies Tied to Illegal Settlements
Murphy’s holdings come amid heightened scrutiny of corporate involvement in settlement-related activities. In September 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Office updated its database of businesses involved in certain activities in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, listing a total of 158 enterprises from 11 countries.
The update, which added 68 companies since the previous publication in June 2023 and removed seven firms, includes major multinational corporations in sectors such as construction, real estate, mining, and quarrying — industries central to Israel’s settlement expansion efforts. While most listed companies are Israeli, the register also includes firms registered in the United States, Canada, China, France, and Germany.
The UN report emphasized that businesses have a duty to avoid contributing to human rights abuses and should cooperate in remediation where they identify adverse impacts from their operations.
Context: International Legal Position on Settlements
Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are considered illegal under international law, a position affirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and numerous UN resolutions. The settlements are viewed as a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its civilian population into occupied territory.
Despite this consensus, settlement construction has continued, supported by domestic policies and foreign investment. The UN and human rights organizations have repeatedly called on companies to cease operations that facilitate or profit from settlement activities.
Implications for Political Candidates and Ethical Investing
For political candidates, particularly those representing parties with explicit stances on human rights and international law, personal financial disclosures are subject to public scrutiny. The Green Party, both in Ireland and internationally, has consistently advocated for Palestinian self-determination and opposed policies that undermine the two-state solution.
Murphy’s shareholding in a US company with ties to settlement operations underscores the growing intersection between personal finance, corporate accountability, and political integrity. It also highlights the challenges individuals face in ensuring their investments align with their ethical or political values, especially in complex global supply chains.
As of the date of this report, neither Murphy nor the Green Party has issued a public statement addressing the specific nature of his holdings or their compliance with party guidelines on ethical investment.
References:
- The Ditch. (2025). Green Party byelection candidate Niall Murphy owns shares in a US company that operates in illegal Israeli settlements and has provided tech to the IDF. https://x.com/wereontheditch/status/2044820170443542645
- Al Jazeera. (2025, September 26). UN lists 158 firms tied to illegal Israeli settlements. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/26/un-lists-150-firms-tied-to-illegal-israeli-settlements
- Reuters. (2025, September 26). More than 150 companies have ties to Israeli settlements, UN database finds. https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/more-than-150-companies-have-ties-israeli-settlements-un-database-finds-2025-09-26/
- Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. (2025, September 26). Israel/OPT: UN updates database of businesses involved in illegal Israeli settlements. https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/israelopt-un-updates-database-of-businesses-involved-in-illegal-israeli-settlements-listing-158-enterprises-from-11-countries/