Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund Divests from 11 Israeli Companies Amid Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Norway's sovereign wealth fund, known as the Oil Fund, has divested from 11 Israeli companies. This decision comes amid the "serious humanitarian crisis" in Gaza. The fund, which invests Norway's oil and gas profits, had stakes in 61 Israeli firms by mid-year. Last week, it decided to sell shares in 11 companies not included in Norway's Finance Ministry equity benchmark index.

Investment Strategy Adjustments

The fund's management has completed these sales and will now manage all Israeli investments internally. Contracts with external managers in Israel are being terminated. "These measures were taken in response to extraordinary circumstances," stated Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management. He highlighted the worsening conditions in Gaza and the West Bank as a catalyst for this decision.

The Oil Fund is officially named the Government Pension Fund Global. It holds approximately 1.5% of shares in publicly listed companies worldwide, with investments in around 9,000 firms. The fund's management website provides these details. Tangen mentioned that this move would simplify investment management and reduce the number of companies monitored by the fund's ethics council.

Enhanced Monitoring Efforts

Last autumn, the fund increased its scrutiny of investments in Israeli companies, leading to divestment from several firms. Tangen emphasized that investing in a country at war requires heightened due diligence. The current situation has prompted further strengthening of these efforts to ensure ethical investment practices.

The fund did not disclose the names of the companies involved in the recent sales. However, it is clear that the decision aligns with a broader strategy to manage risks associated with geopolitical tensions and humanitarian issues. This approach reflects a commitment to ethical investment while navigating complex global markets.

The Oil Fund's actions underscore its proactive stance on ethical considerations in investment decisions. By reducing exposure to companies operating in conflict zones, it aims to uphold its ethical standards and maintain responsible investment practices globally.

With inputs from PTI