Barak. Protested
Photo: AFP
Barak calls Norway over Elbit affair
Defense minister protests to Norwegian FM over country's cutting of ties with leading Israeli company
Defense Minister Ehud Barak called Norway's foreign minister Friday in order to protest his country's cutting of ties with the Israeli company Elbit Systems.
Elbit is a leading Israeli company that manufactures and integrates advanced, high-performance defense electronic and electro-optic systems for clients worldwide.
Original Report
Oslo decides to exclude Israeli electro-optic systems giant's stocks from pension fund portfolio over its involvement in security fence project. Industry Ministry says decision 'regrettable'; Foreign Ministry summons Norwegian ambassador
The Defense Ministry stated that Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the move was initiated by a private wealth fund over which the government has no control. The foreign minister added that Norway has invested in Israel and sees it as a "friendly country".
Norway announced Thursday that Elbit was violating international law by supplying surveillance equipment for the security fence in the West Bank.
The country's central bank-managed $400 billion-plus wealth fund then promptly sold its holdings in the company, which are said to amount to about $5.4 million.
"We do not wish to fund companies that so directly contribute to violations of international humanitarian law," Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen said in a statement.
"The freedom of movement of the people living in the occupied territory has been unacceptably restricted," she said.
Halvorsen said the International Court of Justice has said the fence construction breaches the Fourth Geneva Convention and that "Norwegian authorities act in accordance with this."
The first Israeli response came from Yossi Gal, director-general of the Foreign Ministry, who summoned the Norwegian ambassador to Israel.
"This was a grievous decision, concerning $5.4 million worth of stocks, and we are treating it as such. We also have reason to believe this is part on an election strategy," he added.
