There is not enough information to know if this was politically motivated, since these stocks are at highs. Does Harvard have investments (stocks) in companies primarily located in countries that abuse human rights? Who makes this decision for Harvard's portfolio?

considering in china there rn't basic human rights and everyone make their goods there, so before you open and blab about pathetic human rights you need to consider reality, after all those companies save lives, Teva made Alzheimer's disease drug last week that improves the quality life of patiences tremendously, so akhmed we all know you r from the east side of jerusalem.

It's blatantly obvious that this move is politically motivated. I would only like to know who made the decision. It doesn't really matter what other countries are dong and whether their human rights record is worse - the USA itself has enough to answer for, but they appear to get away with everything. At all events, Israelis can prepare for more such moves: the political climate has changed and Israel had better wake up to the fact - fast. Neither is the rise in anti-semitism a coincidence. It's just the old pendulum swinging back again, this time with the excuse of Israel, rather than poisoning wells or blood libels. Commentators have claimed for decades that Israel is a liability for Jews in the diaspora, and now it is becoming obvious to everyone.

Israel will not donate to harvard now. Let harvard look to the saudis and other arab abusers of human rights and supporters of terrorism to donate.

Therefore decision was likely made because Bernie Madoff warned them market is in for a huge correction in October.

got reputation of first class cariculum institude, duuuuuuuuh as for burnnie Madof I checked most of his victimes were jews themselves, so nice try get your facts straight and yourself.

It is true that Harvard divsested from these companies - though for financial purposes. They also invested in other Israeli companies - so it seems that the information and the context of the article is not accurate.

Israeli stocks. Yup, there is lots of book learning at Harvard but no test for common sense.

and it is both financially and politically motivated. Best minds in the world there. As to "observers" observations about the rise of antisemitism this is mainly at the hands of radical islams and so not just the Jews but the Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and anyone who is not a muslim better take note.

most of Israel's companies are located not just in Israel but all over the world. iran can't even make gasoline for their own use while sitting on top of the world's second largest known oil reserves. meanwhile, Israel is setting up electrical grid for cars and making energy out of seaweed. kind of puts things in perspective doesn't it? iran is the loser if there is ever a war. the people in power just don't have it "upstairs" . the mentality is from several centuries ago. if you have any money, which you probably don't, as most people of your ilk substitue hatred of Jews and Israel for their own lack of success, you would be better off investing in Israel. Oh, I forgot-can't invest in iran as the world is sanctioning them.

Please have the courtesy to publish a retraction about this story. It is not in your readers' interest or in the interest of the State of Israel for the BDS supporters to use Harvard University's name to legitimize their cause: http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2010/08/harvard_rebalan.html

to a different portfolio, as Israel is officially a developed country. From: “Longbrake, John” Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:08:31 -0400 To: xxxxxxx Subject: RE: Harvard Management Company Divesting from Israeli Holdings- Please Explain Dear Dr. XXX Thank you for taking the time to write. The Management Company’s most recent SEC filing details changes in holdings, as is routine, but no change in policy. The University has not divested from Israel. Israel was moved from the MSCI, our benchmark in emerging markets, to the EAFE index in May due to its successful growth. Our emerging markets holdings were rebalanced accordingly. We have holdings in developed markets, including Israel, through outside managers in commingled accounts and indexes, which are not reported in the filing in question. I hope that this is helpful. Sincerely, John

A breath of truly fresh, unpolluted air! more such moves will come and at an accelerating rate. Maybe the illegitimate state of Israel with wither economically and financially through boycott and divestment, and a bloody war might not be necessary. I would rather see things go that way than via a war with Iran.

you must have your head in the sand. Israel is thriving, leading the world in technology, drawing the smartest investors-warren buffett, bill gates, and so on. Israel has more companies on the nasdaq than any other with the exception of the u.s. And what does iran have? oil it can't refine, eat or drink and the other arab countries what do they have? no freedoms, persecution, fighting amongst themselves. muslims blowing up muslims. you picked the wrong freakin side my dear. also if you love it so much, i am sure syria, iran, lebanon, turkey, will welcome you with open arms. if you are a "palestinian" you will have a wonderful choice of "refugee" camps to live in.

Press Statement Harvard University issued Aug. 16, 2010: The Management Company's most recent SEC filing details changes in holdings, as is routine, but no change in policy. The University has not divested from Israel. Israel was moved from the MSCI, our benchmark in emerging markets, to the EAFE index in May due to its successful growth. Our emerging markets holdings were rebalanced accordingly. We have holdings in developed markets, including Israel, through outside managers in commingled accounts and indexes, which are not reported in the filing in question.

I just spent an entire 2 minutes researching this, and it does indeed appear that YNET's headline is misleading or downright wrong. This story needs a writethru (news service jargon for rewriting it to update the story and get it more correct and accurate)...

Iran just fined Turkey 600 million dollars for failing to withdraw enough gas from Iran. I guess Turkey signed an agreement with Iran obligating them to purchase more gas than they need. Turkey was better off doing business with Israel.

your journalists got their anti-zionist bias from harvard or BGU or haifa or even hebrew univ?..for the record harvard's returns have been mediocre as well!

Uneducated decision on Harvard's part

one of the countries being ... israel er...i mean HAD