Visual and testimonial evidence gathered by Amnesty International Korea and local human rights organisations reveals that HD Hyundai machinery has been extensively used in demolitions of Palestinian-owned structures in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). Despite the company’s denial of involvement, investigations confirmed that 59 buildings, including homes and businesses, were demolished between September 2019 and February 2025, displacing around 250 Palestinians and damaging the livelihoods of hundreds more.
Amnesty International highlights the urgent need for HD Hyundai to suspend the distribution of its products in Israel and ensure thorough diligence to prevent any operations from causing human rights violations. The findings are a result of collaborations with local groups and Amnesty’s digital investigation efforts, which documented 347 images and videos of demolitions.
Among the accounts collected, one plumber, Yaaqoub Barqan, recounted how his home was destroyed in just 20 minutes by a military bulldozer. He shared the traumatic experience, stating, “About 30 armed soldiers arrived in military jeeps, along with three pieces of heavy equipment, including a Hyundai excavator. The excavator destroyed the house in less than 20 minutes. My wife fainted watching our home being destroyed and is still receiving psychiatric treatment.”
Earlier research in March 2023 established the use of Hyundai excavators in demolitions affecting at least 15 Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, documenting the ongoing threat to residents. In March 2024, HD Hyundai claimed compliance with regulations and stated there were no sales to agencies involved in demolitions but remained under scrutiny as 32 shipments of their machinery were sent to Israel between 2021 and 2023.
HD Hyundai XiteSolution, the parent company, denied involvement in such activities, while attempts by Amnesty to engage with the company have often gone unanswered, raising concerns about the company’s responsibility regarding human rights. The concluding remarks emphasise that corporations like HD Hyundai must uphold human rights standards and mitigate participation in actions leading to destructive impacts in conflict zones, especially within the OPT.
Recent evidence shows that HD Hyundai machinery has been employed in demolitions of Palestinian properties in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, leading to the displacement of around 250 individuals. Amnesty International Korea’s investigations revealed a substantial number of destroyed structures, despite the company’s denial of involvement. Urgent calls have been made for HD Hyundai to act against the misuse of its products in relation to human rights abuses in the region.
The evidence compiled by Amnesty International reveals a troubling pattern of HD Hyundai machinery being utilised in the demolitions of Palestinian homes and businesses, resulting in significant displacement and human rights violations. Despite the company’s denials, the weight of visual documentation and testimonies cannot be ignored. As the international community watches, it is crucial for corporate giants like HD Hyundai to take responsibility in ensuring their products do not contribute to systemic injustices.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
