Caterpillar

Despite recognition by the UN as a violation of human rights, and by various other organizations, Caterpillar continues to sell armored bulldozers to the Israeli Defense Force for use in demolishing Palestinian homes. An Oakland, CA based organization called Stop Caterpillar has drafted a Declaration Regarding Caterpillar Violations of Human Rights and gained endorsement from a wide range of supporters.

The family of Rachel Corrie, an American who was killed while attempting to prevent home demolitions in Gaza, has sued Caterpillar alleging it violated human rights and committed war crimes by knowingly selling its equipment to the Israeli army. Four Palestinians whose homes were bulldozed were also named plaintiffs. An Israeli government investigation found that the bulldozer team was clearing debris to uncover smuggling tunnels, not destroying homes, and that the operator did not see Corrie.

Caterpillar Inc. cannot be held legally liable for the use of its bulldozers in Israeli military operations because the equipment is paid for with American government funds and represents an extension of American foreign policy, a federal appeals court ruled.

The United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights has found Caterpillar is in clear violation of Norms on the responsibilities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises with regard to human rights. Unfortunatly because all transactions between the IDF and Caterpillar are made through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales Program nothing has been done about this violation.