Norwegian politicians have voted against proposals to stop the country's £1.4tn sovereign wealth fund from investing in companies contributing to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. The decision followed emotional parliamentary debates and protests, despite Norway's historical role in the region and recent recognition of the Palestinian state.
Norway MPs reject call to stop wealth fund investing in occupied Palestinian territories
NorwayPalestinian territoriesMiddle East and north AfricaEuropeWorld
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Norwegian politicians have voted against proposals to stop the country's £1.4tn sovereign wealth fund from investing in companies contributing to Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. The decision followed emotional parliamentary debates and protests, despite Norway's historical role in the region and recent recognition of the Palestinian state.
Trending- 1 1969: Discovery of large offshore oilfield off Norwegian coast
- 2 1990: Norway's oil fund (Government Pension Fund Global) established
- 3 1993: Oslo peace accords facilitated by Norway
- 4 1996: First deposit made to the fund
- 5 Last year: Norway recognized the Palestinian state
- 6 Last week: Åsmund Aukrust's statement on Israel's actions
- 7 Wednesday: Parliament votes against divestment proposal
- 8 Shortly before: Government recognized state of Palestine, then voted against it in parliament (referring to a previous vote on recognition, not the fund vote)
- Norway's sovereign wealth fund continues investments in companies operating in occupied Palestinian territories
- Disappointment among divestment proponents
- Continued pressure from civil society and opposition parties
What: Norwegian politicians rejected calls to stop investing its sovereign wealth fund – the largest in the world – in the occupied Palestinian territories.
When: Wednesday (vote); 1936 (poem); 1993 (Oslo peace accords); last year (Norway recognized Palestinian state); last week (Aukrust's statement); 1969 (oilfield discovery); 1990 (fund established); 1996 (first deposit).
Where: Stortinget (parliament) in Oslo, Norway; occupied Palestinian territories; Israel; Gaza; Ukraine.
Why: MPs voted against divestment proposals despite emotional speeches and protests, maintaining an 'established ethical regime for the fund' which divests from companies breaching international law but not all companies present on the ground. Proponents of divestment argue it's to avoid complicity in illegal occupation and war crimes.
How: Parliament voted on 45 proposals during the annual review of the oil fund. The vote followed a debate with tearful speeches and protests outside.