Israel rejects harsh response to Norway boycott

The Israeli foreign ministry yesterday refrained from harshly criticising Norway’s decision to divest from an Israel company.

In a relatively low key response, the foreign ministry released a statement: “Israel will consider further protest measures in the future.”

Haaretz reported the foreign ministry decided against using stronger language in order to prevent a diplomatic crisis.

The decision was taken after foreign ministry director - general Yossi Gal consulted Israel’s ambassador to Oslo, Michael Eligal, and foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman.

The Norwegian state pension fund has ethical guidelines which prohibit any investment in companies considered inhumane.

Mr Lieberman reportedly chose not to strongly condemn Norway so as not to damage Israel’s relationship with the country, especially since relations with Sweden have recently soured.

The Norwegian state pension fund yesterday announced it was divesting from Elbit, one of Israel's leading companies, for ethical reasons.

Elbit, an optics and electronics manufacturer, provides a surveillance system for the wall in the West Bank. In 2004 the International Court of Justice ruled that the wall was illegal.

Kristin Halvorsen, the Norwegian finance minister, said: “We do not wish to fund companies that so directly contribute to violations of international humanitarian law.”

The Israeli ambassador to Norway was told of the decision during a meeting at the foreign ministry in Oslo. The state pension fund sold its shares in Elbit before an official announcement was made.

Norway's government pension fund, one of the world’s biggest investors, is worth $333 billion (£203.8 billion). The fund contains revenues from Norway’s prosperous oil industry, for use by future generations.

The fund has ethical guidelines which prohibit any investment in companies considered inhumane, such as arms manufacturers, those involved in human rights violations or responsible for environmental damage. Currently, the fund has investments in 40 Israeli companies.

Last updated: 12:38pm, September 4 2009

http://www.thejc.com/news/israel-news/israel-rejects-harsh-response-norway-boycott