Aug (GazaKillers.com)

Norway and Europe: Financial Accountability Rising

In a growing backlash against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund has come under intense scrutiny. Recent revelations show its stake in Bet Shemesh Engines, a firm maintaining aircraft used in Gaza operations, rose from $3.6 million in 2023 to $15 million by end-2024 Financial TimesReuters.

As a result, Norway’s Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg has ordered a full ethical review—tasking the central bank and ethics council to assess and potentially purge investments tied to illegal occupation or warfare Financial TimesReuters. Although Norway’s parliament recently rejected a proposal for blanket divestment, activists and unions continue to pressure the fund for urgent action The Guardiannewsinenglish.noFinancial Times.

Beyond Norway, other funds have already taken responsible steps:

• The Oil Fund divested from Bezeq (telecom in settlements) in late 2024, and Paz Retail earlier in 2025 AInvestUNI Global Union.
• KLP, Norway’s largest pension fund, excluded Oshkosh Corporation, ThyssenKrupp, and previously Caterpillar for supplying military-grade equipment used in Gaza and the West Bank Al JazeeraWikipedia.
• Additional European funds in Denmark, France, and Ireland divested millions in assets tied to companies operating in Israeli settlements Al Jazeera.

Amnesty International warns that continued investments, especially by state-owned funds, fuel the expansion of occupation and genocide—urging full divestment in line with international law Amnesty International.

Artists & Activists: Pressuring Corporations to Choose Ethics

The global creative community has also responded fiercely:

• Mubi, an independent film platform, is facing protests from 63+ filmmakers over investment from Sequoia Capital, which backs Israeli military-tech firm Kela. These creatives demand Mubi plainly condemn genocide funding and end its ties The Guardianeuronews.
• In protest, filmmaker Eddie Huang withdrew support for his documentary, Vice Is Broke, accusing Mubi of blacklisting it in retaliation for his stance against the Sequoia deal Vulture.
• Activist campaign #MaskOffMaersk orchestrated mass boycotts and protests across Spain, Denmark, Morocco, Australia, the U.S., and Canada—targeting Maersk for transporting military cargo to Israel. These actions led to Maersk halting shipments to West Bank settlements, though critics maintain pressure to end all military-related transport Wikipedia.

Why This Matters—and How You Can Respond

Why Divestment Works:

• Financial leverage: Divestment reduces funding for companies complicit in war crimes.
• Ethics first: Activists turn corporate profits into moral accountability.
• Public visibility: Divestment decisions elevate global awareness and diplomatic pressure.

What You Can Do Now:

• Support fair funds: Invest in ethical platforms, hold your institutions accountable.
• Amplify boycott campaigns: Join movements like #MaskOffMaersk, call for transparency at Mubi.
• Use ethical apps: Platforms like “No Thanks” help you avoid products from complicit companies Wikipedia.