Danish pension fund divests from 'Israel' over Gaza genocide
2 Min Read
Denmark's AkademikerPension has joined a growing number of European funds divesting from "Israel"-linked assets in protest against the war on Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank, citing violations of human rights and international law.
-
The headquarters of AkademikerPension, one of Denmark’s largest pension fund managers, which announced it will divest from assets linked to 'Israel' over the war in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank (image sourced from iconoexpo.dk)
AkademikerPension, one of Denmark's largest pension fund managers, has announced it will withdraw investments from assets linked to "Israel," including companies owned or controlled by the Israeli regime.
The decision, reported by Reuters, was described as a protest against "the war in Gaza and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank."
The fund, which manages about $24.7 billion on behalf of teachers and university professors, said in a statement that "the continuation of the occupation and war policies are not compatible with humanitarian principles and international law."
Chief Executive Jens Munch Holst added that the move "comes as an assessment of the state of Israel's ability to uphold human rights."
European Divestments
AkademikerPension's announcement reflects a wider trend across Europe. Norway's $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund, the largest in the world, has already begun divesting from Israeli companies, including five banks and defense-linked firms, citing human rights violations.
Norway's KLP pension fund has likewise ended its ties with firms supplying military equipment to "Israel," while also selling holdings in US company Caterpillar over its role in demolitions in the occupied territories.
Another Danish pension fund, Pædagogernes Pension, has also excluded travel firms such as Airbnb and Booking Holdings for their activities in illegal settlements.
Rising Pressure
The divestments come as international civil society steps up pressure. Last week, a coalition of 84 non-governmental organizations, including Oxfam, Amnesty International, and the Human Rights Association, launched a global campaign urging an end to all business and investment activity tied to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Read more: Palestinian intellectuals mark two years of Gaza genocide
The financial decisions coincide with mounting human costs. Since October 7, 2023, "Israel's" war on Gaza has killed more than 65,000 people and wounded over 167,000, according to Palestinian authorities.
In the West Bank, rights groups describe an "undeclared war" marked by home demolitions, mass arrests, and expanding settlements, which have left hundreds dead and thousands detained.
