ONLINE marketplace Etsy is profiting from businesses located in illegal Israeli settlements, a new report revealed today.

The report, published by the Institute for Journalism and Social Change, Global Justice Now, and War on Want, found that at least 44 Etsy stores are operating in Israeli settlements — all of which are illegal under international law. 

Known for selling handmade and personalised gifts from independent sellers, Etsy makes a commission when stores list and sell their items.

Researchers discovered that there were 14 stores located in Ariel — one of the largest illegal Israeli settlements with over 20,000 residents — nine shops in Maale Adumim, which is due to be illegally expanded, and another four stores in Tekoa.

The report warned that there could be many more Etsy stores operating from illegal settlements, as hundreds of other sellers had listed themselves as selling from Israel, without giving a specific location.

It also highlights the platform’s contracts with shops outside the Americas are with its subsidiary in Ireland.

If money from illegal settlement businesses are being brought into the Irish financial system, the report says, this could leave the company violating the country’s strict anti-money laundering legislation.

Global Justice Now director Nick Dearden said: “Etsy isn’t simply turning a blind eye to stores listed on its site operating in illegal Israeli settlements — it is directly profiting from and even in certain cases, promoting them.

“Doing so risks complicity in war crimes — and the reality is, they’re not the only company profiting from the human misery inflicted on Palestinians day in, day out.

“It’s time to bring an end to this shameless corporate profiteering.”

An Etsy spokesperson said: “We regularly screen our sellers against sanctions watchlists to ensure sanctioned individuals and entities are not able to sell on Etsy, and we constantly monitor for changes in applicable rules and take appropriate actions.”