Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund Divests From 11 Israeli Firms Over Gaza Blockade

The Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg announced that Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has pulled investments from 11 Israeli companies, citing concerns over Israel’s ongoing war and blockade in Gaza. Norway’s $2 trillion fund, the largest in the world, had previously held stakes in 61 Israeli firms.

The announcement came after an urgent review launched following media reports saying the fund had built a stake in an Israeli jet engine group that provides services to Israel’s military, including maintenance of fighter jets, as Israel’s genocide war on Gaza kills people.

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“The Pension Fund has completely divested from 11 Israeli companies. This divestment began last week and was completed on August 11, 2025. Agreements with external managers in Israel have been terminated”, Stoltenberg said.

While mentioning Israel’s war in Gaza, the Norwegian foreign minister said, “Israel’s warfare in Gaza results in terrible suffering. People are being killed, aid is not reaching its destination, and many are not getting enough food”.

Emphasizing stopping the war immediately and violation of international law by Israel, Stoltenberg said that “Norway has been among the countries that have condemned these violations of international law and have demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages and unhindered access to humanitarian aid”.

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This action follows a pattern where several European financial firms have reduced their ties with Israeli companies, influenced by activist pressure and governmental stances, as seen in Norway’s parliament rejecting a broader divestment proposal but still prompting a review of investments.

The decision is part of a larger context where Israel’s actions in Gaza have led to significant humanitarian crises, with over 61,000 Palestinians killed and a high number of injuries, alongside international condemnation and demands for cessation of hostilities and unhindered humanitarian aid, as articulated by Norwegian officials.