Key Takeaways
- • Norway's Government Pension Fund Global withdrew investments from five Israeli banks, including First International Bank of Israel, following an ethical review, according to Arab News reporting dated October 12, 2026.
- • The withdrawn holdings totaled 661 million US dollars as of June across First International Bank of Israel, FIBI Holdings, Bank Leumi, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank and Bank Hapoalim.
- • The fund, which manages about 1.9 trillion US dollars and is the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, cited an unacceptable risk that companies could contribute to serious violations of individual rights in war or conflict.
- • The report does not establish a direct effect on the bank's operations or share price, but the decision adds an ESG consideration to assessments of international ownership and capital access.
Summary
Norway's Government Pension Fund Global has withdrawn investments from five Israeli banks, among them First International Bank of Israel, a move that has renewed environmental, social and governance scrutiny of the stock, according to AD HOC NEWS. The decision was reported by Arab News on October 12, 2026, and followed an ethical review of holdings in the Israeli banking sector.
The withdrawal covered investments worth 661 million US dollars, measured as of June, across First International Bank of Israel, FIBI Holdings, Bank Leumi, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank and Bank Hapoalim. The Government Pension Fund Global manages assets of about 1.9 trillion US dollars and is the world's largest sovereign wealth fund. Arab News reported that the fund cited an unacceptable risk that the companies could contribute to serious violations of individual rights in situations of war or conflict.
For First International Bank of Israel, the move adds an ESG-related consideration to the assessment of international ownership and capital access. The source does not establish a direct effect on the bank's operations or share price. Investors monitoring institutional participation may continue to watch how the decision affects international ownership and ESG scrutiny of Israeli banks, a sector that also draws attention for profitability, credit growth, dividend policy and non-financial risks.
The withdrawal covered investments worth 661 million US dollars, measured as of June, across First International Bank of Israel, FIBI Holdings, Bank Leumi, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank and Bank Hapoalim. The Government Pension Fund Global manages assets of about 1.9 trillion US dollars and is the world's largest sovereign wealth fund. Arab News reported that the fund cited an unacceptable risk that the companies could contribute to serious violations of individual rights in situations of war or conflict.
For First International Bank of Israel, the move adds an ESG-related consideration to the assessment of international ownership and capital access. The source does not establish a direct effect on the bank's operations or share price. Investors monitoring institutional participation may continue to watch how the decision affects international ownership and ESG scrutiny of Israeli banks, a sector that also draws attention for profitability, credit growth, dividend policy and non-financial risks.
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