DANISH PENSION PLAN MAY DIVEST ISRAELI BONDS

A Danish pension fund, the world’s strictest on human rights violations, says it is considering adding Israel to a long list of countries it excludes following this month’s conflict with Palestinians.

The US$22 billion Akademiker looks after the pensions of Denmark’s teachers and university lecturers. This past year it has ditched China’s government bonds and Saudi Arabia’s following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

It holds about US$31 million worth of Israeli government and quasi-government bonds.

“We are concerned about the human rights record (of Israel), but acknowledge that our members are deeply divided on this topic,” said fund CEO Jens Munch Holst.

The UN Human Rights Council voted Thursday to launch an investigation into allegations of crimes committed in the hostilities this month between Israel and Hamas.