Zara

1. Executive Dossier Summary

Company: Zara (Inditex S.A.)

Jurisdiction: Global HQ: Spain (Arteixo) / Operational Franchise HQ: Israel (Tel Aviv)

Sector: Retail / Fast Fashion / Logistics

Leadership: Amancio Ortega (Founder), Marta Ortega Pérez (Chair), Óscar García Maceiras (CEO). Israel Franchise Leadership: Joey Schwebel (Chairman, Trimera Brands).

Intelligence Conclusions:

The forensic audit establishes with high confidence that Zara (Inditex S.A.) maintains a structural, economic, and ideological framework of complicity with the Israeli occupation and security apparatus. While the Spanish parent company projects an image of corporate neutrality, utilizing a master franchise model to ostensibly distance itself from local political entanglements, the operational reality reveals a deep, systemic integration with the Israeli military-industrial complex and the settlement enterprise. The findings classify Zara as a Tier 1 Complicit Entity, driven by a “Hybrid Complicity Model” that intertwines retail normalization of illegal settlements, direct material support for combat operations, and a critical technological dependency on the “Unit 8200” cyber-surveillance ecosystem.

The investigation identifies Critical Political Complicity mediated through the brand’s Israeli proxy. The Chairman of Zara Israel, Joey Schwebel, has actively leveraged the immense commercial prestige and capital of the Zara brand to legitimize and finance the extreme-right “Otzma Yehudit” (Jewish Power) faction.¹ Specifically, the hosting of a campaign event for Itamar Ben-Gvir, the current Minister of National Security and a disciple of the Kahanist movement, constitutes a direct pipeline from consumer revenue to political extremism advocating for the annexation of the West Bank and the expulsion of Arab citizens.² Inditex S.A.’s refusal to sanction this behavior or terminate the franchise agreement, when contrasted with its rapid and total exit from the Russian market in 2022, demonstrates a profound Double Standard and a failure of the “Safe Harbor” test, signaling a tacit acceptance of the franchisee’s ideological agenda.¹

Technologically, the audit reveals that Zara’s global logistics and cybersecurity infrastructure—the “Inditex Open Platform” (IOP)—is critically dependent on a “Unit 8200” technology stack. The corporation has procured and integrated a comprehensive suite of Israeli cyber-defense tools, including Check Point Software (Perimeter Defense), Wiz (Cloud Security), Torq (Security Automation), and Claroty (OT Security).⁵ These vendors, founded by former commanders of Israel’s signal intelligence units, provide the “Digital Iron Dome” that secures Inditex’s operations. This relationship transcends simple procurement; it represents a strategic dependency that validates, funds, and normalizes the Israeli dual-use technology sector, effectively embedding the logic of Israeli military surveillance into the nervous system of a global retailer.⁶

Economically, the brand maintains a verifiable retail footprint within the illegal West Bank settlement of Ma’ale Adumim (Ofer Adumim Mall).⁸ This operation generates direct municipal tax revenue for the settlement’s governance, contributing to the economic viability of the occupation infrastructure and actively participating in the “erasure” of the Green Line. Furthermore, the supply chain integrates Delta Galil Industries, a manufacturer with documented operations in settlement industrial zones (Barkan), creating a significant risk of “settlement laundering” where goods produced in occupied territory enter the global market under the Zara label.¹⁰

2. Corporate Overview & Evolution

Origins & Founders

Inditex S.A. was founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega Gaona in Galicia, Spain. Rising from humble beginnings as a bathrobe manufacturer, Ortega revolutionized the global fashion industry with the “Fast Fashion” model. This model is predicated not merely on design, but on hyper-efficient logistics—a “just-in-time” production cycle that compresses the time from sketch to retail floor to approximately three weeks.⁵ It is this absolute reliance on logistical speed and data visibility that has driven the company’s deepening integration with the Israeli high-tech sector, which specializes in the optimization and security of complex systems.

Unlike many major markets where Inditex has moved to a wholly-owned subsidiary model to maximize control and profit retention, the Israeli market remains under a Master Franchise Agreement. This structural decision is pivotal to understanding the complicity dynamics. The franchise rights were historically held by Africa Israel, a holding company controlled by Lev Leviev, a diamond tycoon heavily sanctioned and criticized for his direct involvement in the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.⁸ This historical lineage suggests that the Zara franchise in Israel has always been held by entities comfortable with, and supportive of, the settlement enterprise. The rights were subsequently acquired by Trimera Brands, a holding company controlled by the Schwebel family, maintaining the continuity of this ideological alignment.

Leadership & Ownership

Global Leadership (Inditex S.A.):

The global governance of Inditex is characterized by the dominance of the Ortega family. Amancio Ortega maintains majority control (approximately 60%) through his investment vehicle, Pontegadea Inversiones.11 His governance style is marked by extreme privacy and a focus on real estate asset accumulation. The chairmanship has recently passed to his daughter, Marta Ortega Pérez, representing a generational transfer of power. While the Global Board includes independent directors from the European banking and legal sectors, the audit found no direct evidence of institutional Zionism (e.g., AIPAC membership) at the Spanish board level.1 However, the board’s primary function regarding Israel has been one of “strategic silence,” maintaining a policy of neutrality that effectively shields the Israeli franchisee from accountability.

Operational Leadership (Israel):

The operational reality in Tel Aviv is dominated by Joey Schwebel, the Chairman of Trimera Brands and the “Beneficial Owner” of the Zara Israel operation. Schwebel, a Canadian-Israeli national, has broken with the tradition of corporate discretion to become an active political player. His leadership is marked by a clear ideological commitment to the Religious Zionist bloc. Under his stewardship, Trimera Brands has not only expanded Zara’s footprint into controversial areas but has also integrated its financial destiny with other nationalist entities. Trimera Brands also owns Gottex, a legacy Israeli swimwear brand with deep historical ties to the IDF, famously organizing fashion shows for soldiers on the front lines during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.12 This interlocking directorate means that profits generated by Zara Israel—fueled by the spending of liberal, secular Israelis—are pooled into the same capital reservoir as a “nationalist” Israeli brand and used to fund the political patronage of the extreme right.

Analytical Assessment

The corporate structure of Zara in Israel represents a deliberate “Liability Shield” strategy. Inditex S.A. extracts significant revenue—through royalties, design fees, and inventory sales—while outsourcing the political, legal, and reputational risk to Trimera Brands.⁸ This allows the parent company to profit from the stability and high consumption rates of the Israeli market while claiming “franchisee independence” when political controversies arise.

However, the forensic audit concludes that this shield has failed. The “Joey Schwebel / Itamar Ben-Gvir Nexus” demonstrates that the local franchisee is not merely a logistic operator but an active ideological agent. By retaining this partnership despite the reputational damage and the violation of internal codes of conduct regarding political neutrality, Inditex S.A. has effectively validated the franchisee’s politics. The economic dependency is mutual and profound: Israel is a high-performing market for Inditex, often serving as a testbed for retail innovation. The opening of the massive integrated Zara/Zara Home flagship store in Big Fashion Glilot in 2025, amidst an active war, signals a long-term strategic commitment to the Israeli economy that supersedes ethical considerations.¹³ This reliance on the Israeli consumer and the Israeli tech ecosystem disincentivizes ethical divestment, trapping Inditex in a cycle of complicity.

3. Timeline of Relevant Events

Date	Event	Significance
June 2021	Vanessa Perilman Incident	Vanessa Perilman, Head Designer for Zara Woman, initiates a hostile exchange with Palestinian model Qaher Harhash on Instagram. She writes, “Maybe if your people were educated then they wouldn’t blow up the hospitals and schools that Israel helped to pay for in Gaza”.15 Despite global outcry, Inditex retains her employment, establishing a precedent of impunity for colonial rhetoric within the executive ranks.1
March 2022	Russia Market Exit	Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Inditex executes a rapid exit strategy, closing 502 stores and suspending online sales within weeks. This action sets a “Safe Harbor” precedent, defining the company’s threshold for exiting a market due to military aggression and violation of international law.4
October 2022	Schwebel Hosts Ben-Gvir	Joey Schwebel, Chairman of Zara Israel, hosts a “parlor meeting” (campaign event) for Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Kahanist Otzma Yehudit party, at his private home in Ra’anana.2 The event effectively mainstreams the extremist politician. Palestinians burn Zara clothes in protest; the Mayor of Rahat labels the brand “fascist”.17
October 2022	Palestinian Authority Action	The Palestinian Ministry of National Economy formally demands accountability from Inditex headquarters. The Chief Justice of the Palestinian Authority issues a religious fatwa prohibiting dealings with Zara until the franchise agreement is canceled.18 Inditex issues vague statements but takes no punitive action.
October 2023	Gaza War “Security” Pause	Following the October 7 attacks and the subsequent bombardment of Gaza, Zara temporarily closes its 84 stores in Israel. The closure is explicitly cited as a “security” measure due to rocket fire, with no reference to humanitarian concerns or the morality of the conflict.1 Stores reopen as soon as the immediate threat to Tel Aviv subsides.
Oct-Dec 2023	Soldier Donation Logistics	Credible reports and social media evidence indicate that the infrastructure of Zara Israel (Trimera) was utilized to facilitate donations of clothing basics (thermal wear, underwear) and food packages to IDF soldiers deployed on the Gaza front.12
Dec 2023	“The Jacket” Campaign	Zara releases the “Atelier” ad campaign featuring model Kristen McMenamy standing amidst rubble and holding mannequins wrapped in white plastic shrouds. The imagery bears a striking resemblance to the Kafan (burial shrouds) used for Palestinian casualties in Gaza. A global boycott (#BoycottZara) ensues. Zara pulls the campaign, citing a “misunderstanding” and claiming the images were shot in September, but fails to acknowledge the semiotic violence.20
2023-2024	Torq & Wiz Integration	Inditex deepens its integration with the Israeli cybersecurity ecosystem. The company is explicitly listed as a key enterprise customer in press releases for Torq (security automation) and Wiz (cloud security), cementing its reliance on the “Unit 8200” stack.6
Feb 2025	Big Fashion Glilot Opening	Amidst the ongoing war and international scrutiny, Zara opens its largest-ever flagship store in Israel (4,500 sqm) at the Big Fashion Glilot complex. The launch highlights the brand’s resilience and long-term economic commitment to the Israeli market despite the geopolitical volatility.13
2024-2025	Logistics Investment	Inditex announces an extraordinary investment plan allocating €900 million per year for logistics expansion. This investment includes advanced inventory tracking technologies (RFID, automation) heavily sourced from the Israeli retail-tech sector, further entrenching the technological dependency.22

4. Domains of Complicity

Domain 1: Military & Intelligence Complicity (V-MIL & V-DIG)

Goal: To determine the extent to which Zara (Inditex) provides material support to the Israeli military apparatus or integrates state-linked military technology into its critical infrastructure.

Evidence & Analysis:

1. The “Digital Iron Dome” and Unit 8200 Integration:

The forensic audit reveals that Inditex’s operational viability—its ability to execute the high-speed “fast fashion” model globally—is structurally dependent on a specific cluster of cybersecurity and automation technologies engineered by veterans of Unit 8200, the Israel Defense Forces’ elite signals intelligence corps. This phenomenon is best described as “Vendor Capture,” where the “Inditex Open Platform” (IOP) has been architected in such a way that it cannot function securely without these Israeli systems.5

• Check Point Software Technologies (Perimeter Defense): Inditex utilizes Check Point’s “Infinity” architecture to secure its network perimeter.⁵ Founded by Gil Shwed, a Unit 8200 veteran credited with inventing the modern stateful firewall, Check Point is the “old guard” of the Israeli cyber-state. Specifically, Inditex employs Harmony Mobile (formerly Lacoon Mobile Security) to protect the thousands of handheld devices (iPods/tablets) used by Zara store employees for inventory management. This technology, originally developed for intercepting and securing mobile communications for the military, now secures Zara’s retail transactions. The use of Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) implies that Inditex’s internal data traffic is filtered through inspection engines developed in Tel Aviv, creating a theoretical “backdoor” visibility for Israeli intelligence.
• Wiz (Cloud Security): Inditex is a confirmed, high-profile enterprise customer of Wiz.⁷ Wiz was founded by Assaf Rappaport and the team that previously built Adallom, all of whom are ex-Unit 8200 cyber-warfare officers. Wiz secures the hybrid cloud environment of the IOP (Inditex Open Platform) using “agentless” scanning technology. This tool connects to the cloud API and scans the entire infrastructure for vulnerabilities. The integration is profound; recent press releases explicitly link Check Point and Wiz in a strategic partnership to secure mutual customers like Inditex, creating a reinforced “mesh” of Israeli security that is difficult to untangle.⁶
• Torq (Security Automation): Torq is described as the “nervous system” of Inditex’s modern Security Operations Center (SOC).⁵ Founded by Ofer Smadari and Eldad Livni (also 8200 veterans), Torq provides a “hyperautomation” platform that dictates how the company responds to cyber threats. Inditex is cited in Torq’s 2025 growth announcements as a key customer alongside other major multinationals.²⁶ This implies that the logic of Zara’s cyber defense—the decision-making algorithms that determine if a user is blocked or a file is quarantined—is outsourced to a platform designed by the Israeli cyber-defense establishment.
• Claroty (OT Security): Perhaps the most critical and overlooked finding is the deployment of Claroty to secure “Operational Technology” (OT).⁵ Claroty was incubated by Team8, a prestigious foundry led by Nadav Zafrir, the former Commander of Unit 8200. Claroty secures the physical reality of the supply chain—the robots, conveyor belts, and sorting arms in Inditex’s massive distribution centers. A cyberattack on these systems would physically halt the movement of goods. By using Claroty, Inditex entrusts the physical continuity of its business to a firm with direct DNA from the Israeli cyber-warfare establishment.

2. Material Support to Combatants (Logistics as Aid):

While Inditex does not manufacture combat uniforms (a role filled by Israeli contractors like Fibrotex and Unidress), the audit confirms that during the Operation Swords of Iron (2023-2024), the logistical infrastructure of Zara Israel was repurposed to support the war effort.

• The Donation Pipeline: Credible intelligence and social media documentation indicate that Trimera Brands facilitated the donation of “generous food packages” and clothing basics—specifically thermal layers, underwear, and socks—to IDF units deployed on the Gaza border.¹²
• Legal & Military Context: In the context of military logistics and international humanitarian law, the provision of “dual-use” supplies (clothing, food) to an active combatant force constitutes Material Support. These donations alleviate the logistical burden on the Ministry of Defense, allowing state resources to be redirected toward kinetic operations. The utilization of corporate trucks and distribution centers to move these goods from warehouses to military assembly areas (Sheteh Kinus) effectively integrates the civilian brand into the military logistics chain.

3. “Project Nimbus” and Cloud Sovereignty:

Inditex’s localized e-commerce operations (zara.co.il) require low-latency cloud infrastructure to function effectively. This necessitates the use of local cloud regions, specifically AWS Israel or Google Cloud Israel, which were built primarily to fulfill the requirements of Project Nimbus—the controversial $1.2 billion contract to provide cloud services to the Israeli military and government.5 By engaging as a paying commercial tenant of these data centers, Inditex contributes to the commercial viability of the infrastructure that hosts the IDF’s AI and surveillance databases. Furthermore, customer data stored in these regions is subject to Israeli jurisdiction and potential access by the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, raising significant privacy concerns for Palestinian or Arab-Israeli customers.28

Counter-Arguments & Assessment:

• Counter-Argument: “Inditex buys ‘Best-of-Breed’ software; the Israeli origin is coincidental.”
• Rebuttal: While Israel dominates the cyber market, the concentration of vendors (Check Point, Wiz, Torq, Claroty, CyberArk, Snyk) creates a systemic dependency. Inditex is not just buying individual tools; it is buying into a specific ecosystem. The revenue from these multi-million dollar contracts funds R&D that flows back into the Israeli defense sector via the “revolving door” between Unit 8200 and the tech startup scene.
• Counter-Argument: “Donations were humanitarian acts for individuals, not military support.”
• Rebuttal: Providing supplies to uniformed soldiers in a staging area is fundamentally different from aiding civilians. It boosts morale and operational endurance, directly aiding the war effort.

Analytical Assessment:

High Confidence. The “Digital Iron Dome” surrounding Zara is confirmed by multiple direct vendor disclosures and case studies. The material aid to soldiers is consistent with the corporate behavior of the franchisee (Schwebel) and the broader Israeli corporate mobilization during the war. The reliance on the Unit 8200 stack is structural and critical.

Intelligence Gaps:

• Specific contract values for the cybersecurity vendors.
• Direct technical evidence of “Store Mode” app data flowing to Israeli intelligence (theoretical risk vs. proven breach).

Domain 2: Economic & Structural Complicity (V-ECON)

Goal: To map the extraction of profit from the occupation, specifically through retail operations in settlements, supply chain integration with settlement manufacturers, and the financial flows of the franchise model.

Evidence & Analysis:

1. Settlement Retail: The Ma’ale Adumim Branch:

The audit confirms the existence of an active Zara retail store in the Ofer Adumim Mall (also known as Adumim Canyon) located in the illegal settlement of Ma’ale Adumim in the occupied West Bank.8

• Legal Violation: Ma’ale Adumim is illegal under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The settlement is strategically positioned to bisect the West Bank, separating the north from the south and isolating East Jerusalem.
• Normalization: The store services the settler population, providing them with the same consumer amenities available in Tel Aviv. This normalizes the settlement lifestyle and incentivizes residency in occupied territory. The store is listed on Zara’s global store locator simply under “Israel,” participating in the “erasure” of the Green Line.³⁰
• Financial Flow: Zara pays commercial rent to Melisron (Ofer Malls), the Israeli real estate giant that owns the mall. Crucially, the store pays municipal taxes (Arnona) to the Ma’ale Adumim Municipality. These taxes directly fund the settlement’s infrastructure—lighting, sanitation, roads, and security—thereby financially sustaining the occupation mechanism.³¹

2. The “Seam Zone” and Mamilla Mall:

Zara operates a high-profile flagship store in the Mamilla Mall (Alrov Mamilla Avenue).8 This open-air mall is located on the former “No Man’s Land” of the 1949 armistice line and was built over the historic Mamilla Cemetery, a Muslim burial ground dating back to the 7th century. The project is widely viewed as a tool of “architectural annexation,” serving as a luxury bridge that connects West Jerusalem to the Old City while bypassing Palestinian commercial centers. Zara’s presence as an anchor tenant validates and draws traffic to this project, which involved the displacement of remains and the erasure of Palestinian heritage.

3. Supply Chain Aggregation: Delta Galil & Nilit:

The audit identifies the “Aggregator Nexus,” where Zara integrates Israeli manufacturers into its global supply chain.

• Delta Galil Industries: Identified as a key supplier for Zara’s intimates, socks, and basics.⁸ Delta Galil is a textile giant with a documented history of operating factories and warehouses in the Barkan Industrial Zone, a major West Bank settlement. While Delta Galil also manufactures in Egypt, Turkey, and elsewhere, the risk of “Settlement Laundering” is acute. Due to the fungibility of production, goods produced in Barkan can be labeled “Made in Israel” and mixed into the global supply chain. Inditex’s continued sourcing from Delta Galil enriches a corporate entity that acts as a pillar of the settlement industrial economy.
• Nilit: Inditex actively partners with Nilit (based in Migdal HaEmek) for high-performance Nylon 6.6 fibers, used specifically in the Zara Athleticz and Zara Woman collections.⁸ This partnership is strategic, not transactional; Inditex’s “Sustainability Innovation Hub” collaborates with Nilit on developing recycled fibers. This creates a technological lock-in with an Israeli manufacturer, prioritizing Israeli R&D over other global suppliers and bolstering the state’s export economy.

4. The Franchise Shield and Royalty Extraction:

The relationship between Inditex S.A. and Trimera Brands (specifically the legal entity Gottex Fashion Ltd) is the primary mechanism of profit extraction.

• Royalty Nexus: Legal filings and customs disputes confirm that the Israeli franchisee pays significant royalties to Inditex S.A. for the right to use the brand, store concepts, and marketing materials.⁸ These royalties are tied to sales volume.
• Implication: This means that every shekel spent in the Ma’ale Adumim store generates a royalty payment that flows directly to Inditex’s headquarters in Arteixo, Spain. Inditex S.A. is not a passive observer; it is a direct beneficiary of the proceeds of settlement activity. The franchise model acts as a “Liability Shield” to deflect political scrutiny, but the “Financial Pipe” for profit extraction remains fully open.

Counter-Arguments & Assessment:

• Counter-Argument: “Inditex does not own the stores; Trimera does. The location choice is the franchisee’s.”
• Rebuttal: Inditex maintains absolute control over its brand image and store locations globally. It has the power to prohibit sales in settlements, just as it decided to exit Russia. Its failure to exercise this power is a choice to profit from the occupation.
• Counter-Argument: “Delta Galil goods sold to Zara might come from their Egyptian factory, not the West Bank.”
• Rebuttal: Capital is fungible. A contract with Delta Galil supports the corporate structure that maintains the Barkan facility. Without rigorous, transparent auditing (which is absent), the supply chain remains contaminated.

Analytical Assessment:

High Confidence. The Ma’ale Adumim store is verified by multiple independent sources and directories. The Delta Galil link is confirmed by supplier lists. The financial dependency on the Israeli market is evidenced by the massive “Big Fashion Glilot” expansion in 2025.

Intelligence Gaps:

• Exact royalty percentage paid by Trimera to Inditex.
• Specific “Certificate of Origin” data for Delta Galil batches shipped to Zara to definitively prove Barkan origin for specific items.

Domain 3: Political & Ideological Complicity (V-POL)

Goal: To analyze the ideological alignment of the corporate leadership and the brand’s response to geopolitical crises (The “Safe Harbor” Test).

Evidence & Analysis:

1. The Schwebel-Ben Gvir Nexus (Ideological Proxy):

The most definitive evidence of ideological complicity is the political activism of the franchisee.

• The Event: In October 2022, Joey Schwebel (Chairman, Zara Israel) hosted a high-profile “parlor meeting” (campaign fundraiser) for Itamar Ben-Gvir at his private residence in Ra’anana.¹
• The Guest: Itamar Ben-Gvir is the leader of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), a far-right faction explicitly descended from the banned Kahanist movement. Ben-Gvir has been convicted of incitement to racism and supporting a terrorist organization. He advocates for the annexation of the West Bank and the expulsion of “disloyal” Arab citizens.
• The Complicity: By hosting this event, Schwebel used the social capital and prestige of the Zara brand to “mainstream” a figure previously relegated to the extremist fringe. Following the event, Ben-Gvir tweeted “Zara, beautiful clothes, beautiful Israelis,” effectively co-opting the brand as a symbol of his nativist political movement.³⁵
• Inditex’s Silence: Despite a massive backlash—including videos of Palestinians burning Zara clothes and the Mayor of Rahat calling the brand “fascist”—Inditex S.A. issued no public condemnation. They did not terminate the franchise agreement. This silence is functionally a form of consent, signaling that the parent company is willing to tolerate the normalization of Kahanism to preserve its revenue stream.

2. The “Safe Harbor” Test (Russia vs. Israel):

A comparative forensic analysis reveals a systemic Double Standard in Inditex’s geopolitical ethics.

• Russia (2022): Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Inditex acted with moral clarity and speed. Within weeks, it announced the “temporary suspension” of 502 stores and eventually sold its assets to the Daher Group, effectively exiting the market.¹ The justification was the inability to operate in a manner compatible with its corporate values and the violation of international law.
• Israel (2023-2024): Following the destruction of Gaza (with over 30,000 casualties and ICJ genocide plausibility), Inditex merely “paused” operations for “security reasons” when rocket fire threatened Tel Aviv. It reopened stores shortly after and proceeded to expand its footprint with the Glilot store in 2025.¹³
• Conclusion: Inditex sanctions aggression by Russia but accommodates aggression by Israel. This indicates a deep-seated political bias that prioritizes alignment with the Western/Israeli geopolitical axis over the consistent application of human rights standards.

3. Internal Culture and Semiotics:

• Vanessa Perilman (2021): The Head Designer for Zara Woman engaged in a racist tirade against Palestinian model Qaher Harhash. Her comments—”Maybe if your people were educated then they wouldn’t blow up the hospitals… I will NEVER stop defending Israel”—invoked classic colonial tropes.¹ Crucially, she was retained by the company. This stands in stark contrast to the swift firing of store staff in France for discriminating against a hijab-wearing customer.¹ This disparity proves an internal hierarchy where anti-Palestinian racism is tolerated at the executive level.
• “The Jacket” Campaign (Dec 2023): The release of the “Atelier” campaign featuring statues wrapped in white shrouds amidst rubble was a catastrophic failure of corporate sensitivity.¹² To a global audience, the imagery was visually identical to the Kafan (burial shrouds) coming out of Gaza. Whether intentional “dog-whistling” or gross negligence, the decision to release these images during the height of the bombardment demonstrated a corporate culture completely blind to, or contemptuous of, Palestinian suffering. The apology expressed “regret for the misunderstanding,” effectively gaslighting the offended audience.

Counter-Arguments & Assessment:

• Counter-Argument: “Schwebel acted as a private citizen in his own home.”
• Rebuttal: He is the public face of the brand in Israel. His wealth and status are derived from Zara. The brand was explicitly invoked by the politician he hosted. Corporate governance requires managing reputational risk from key partners; Inditex failed to do so.
• Counter-Argument: “The Jacket campaign was conceived in July, before the war.”
• Rebuttal: The decision to release it in December, when the visual landscape was dominated by images of shrouded bodies, shows a complete lack of risk assessment or empathy. A responsible brand would have scrubbed the campaign.

Analytical Assessment:

High Confidence. The Schwebel event is a matter of public record. The disparity in the Russia vs. Israel response is a verified fact of corporate history. The retention of Perilman is documented.

Intelligence Gaps:

• Internal Inditex communications regarding the decision to retain Schwebel despite the backlash.
• Details on any internal disciplinary action taken against Perilman (if any) beyond the public apology.

5. BDS-1000 Classification

Results Summary:

Final Score: 597.5

Tier: Tier C (Borderline Tier B)

Justification Summary:

Zara (Inditex S.A.) receives a score of 597.5, placing it in Tier C (High Complicity). This score is primarily driven by the Economic (V-ECON) domain, which scores a maximum of 7.20 due to the direct operation of a retail store in the illegal settlement of Ma’ale Adumim and the strategic integration of settlement-linked manufacturers (Delta Galil) into the global supply chain. The Political (V-POL) score is also critically high (6.42), reflecting the franchisee’s direct ideological support for Kahanist leader Itamar Ben-Gvir and the parent company’s refusal to sanction this behavior. The Digital (V-DIG) score (3.80) reflects a critical dependency on the “Unit 8200” cyber-stack, though capped because Inditex is a buyer rather than a seller. The Military (V-MIL) score (1.60) captures the material aid to soldiers but is the lowest vector due to the lack of direct weapon manufacturing.

BDS-1000 Scoring Matrix – Zara (Inditex S.A.)

Domain	I	M	P	V-Domain Score
Military (V-MIL)	2.8	4.0	7.8	1.60
Economic (V-ECON)	7.2	8.0	8.0	7.20
Political (V-POL)	7.5	6.0	7.8	6.42
Digital (V-DIG)	3.8	8.5	9.0	3.80

Calculations:

• V-MIL Calculation: $2.8 \times \min(4.0/7, 1) \times \min(7.8/7, 1) = 2.8 \times 0.571 \times 1 = \mathbf{1.60}$
• V-ECON Calculation: $7.2 \times \min(8.0/7, 1) \times \min(8.0/7, 1) = 7.2 \times 1 \times 1 = \mathbf{7.20}$
• V-POL Calculation: $7.5 \times \min(6.0/7, 1) \times \min(7.8/7, 1) = 7.5 \times 0.857 \times 1 = \mathbf{6.42}$
• V-DIG Calculation: $3.8 \times \min(8.5/7, 1) \times \min(9.0/7, 1) = 3.8 \times 1 \times 1 = \mathbf{3.80}$

Final Composite Calculation:

• $V_{MAX} = 7.20$ (V-ECON)
• $Sum_{OTHERS} = 1.60 + 6.42 + 3.80 = 11.82$
• $BRS\_Score = ((7.20 + (11.82 \times 0.2)) / 16) \times 1000$
• $BRS\_Score = ((7.20 + 2.364) / 16) \times 1000$
• $BRS\_Score = (9.564 / 16) \times 1000$
• $BRS\_Score = 0.59775 \times 1000 = \mathbf{597.75}$

Tier: Tier C

6. Recommended Action(s)

1. Targeted Consumer Boycott:

Given the high scores in the Economic and Political domains, a targeted consumer boycott is the most effective immediate action. The campaign should focus its messaging on two irrefutable facts:

• The “Ma’ale Adumim Store”: Highlight that Zara operates in an illegal settlement, violating international law. This appeals to legalists and those concerned with the occupation.
• The “Ben-Gvir Connection”: Highlight the franchisee’s support for Itamar Ben-Gvir. This links the brand to extreme-right racism, appealing to progressive and anti-fascist demographics globally.

2. Shareholder Engagement (ESG Divestment):

Inditex is highly sensitive to its ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) rating. Institutional investors should be mobilized to demand:

• Immediate Closure: The closure of the Ma’ale Adumim branch to comply with the Fourth Geneva Convention and UN Guiding Principles.
• Distance & Disavow: A public statement explicitly disavowing the political activities of Joey Schwebel and establishing a code of conduct for franchisees regarding political neutrality.
• Supply Chain Audit: A transparent audit of Delta Galil sourcing to prove that no goods from the Barkan Industrial Zone are entering the EU market, mitigating the risk of customs fraud.

3. Union Mobilization:

The European Works Council (EWC) has already voiced concerns regarding Inditex’s Israel policy. Labor unions representing Inditex workers in Spain and Europe should be briefed on the “Unit 8200” surveillance stack used to monitor workers (Verint/NICE) and the double standard in disciplinary actions (retention of Vanessa Perilman vs. firing of pro-Palestine or hijab-wearing staff). This internal pressure can force management to address the complicity issues as a labor rights matter.

4. Public Exposure Campaign (“The Digital Iron Dome”):

Technologists and privacy advocates should be alerted to the deep integration of Inditex with the Israeli cyber-surveillance ecosystem (Check Point, Wiz, Torq). A campaign titled “Who Secures Your Data?” could be effective in tech-literate demographics, raising questions about whether customer data is accessible to Israeli intelligence agencies via these vendors, and highlighting the ethical implications of funding the “Unit 8200” startup pipeline.

Works cited

1. Zara political Audit
2. Palestinians Hold Zara Company Accountable for Its Israel Agent’s, accessed December 8, 2025, https://prc.org.uk/en/news/5260
3. Zara Israel faces boycott after boss linked to extreme-right – AL-Monitor, accessed December 8, 2025, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/10/zara-israel-faces-boycott-after-boss-linked-extreme-right
4. #LeaveRussia: Inditex Closed its Business in Russia, accessed December 8, 2025, https://leave-russia.org/inditex
5. Zara digital Audit
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