(Ha'aretz) David Rosenberg - To portray certain anti-Israel boycott moves in Europe as a gathering storm is at complete variance with the facts. According various media reports, Danske Bank, Denmark's biggest bank, has "boycotted" Israel's Bank Hapoalim. In fact, the "boycott" only applies to funds Danske invests on behalf of its clients, who can opt out if they choose. The bank itself continues to do business with Hapoalim. Nordea, Sweden's biggest bank, is reported to have "taken steps" against Israeli banks. In fact, all Nordea is doing is asking the banks for clarifications about their West Bank activities. PGGM, the Dutch pension fund, still has 100 million euros invested in Israeli companies. The Financial Times reported that "Norway's sovereign wealth fund joins exodus from Israel." But the fund was only renewing a ban on investing in Africa Israel Investments and its Danya Cebus subsidiary that were originally targeted in 2010.
2014-02-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive