COPENHAGEN, Saturday, June 15, 2024 (WAFA) – The Copenhagen Municipality has decided to divest from companies linked to the Israeli colonies in the occupied West Bank, reported Danish news agency Ritzau.

The finance section of the city government took the decision after a vote of 9 to 2 in favor of cutting the investments. The Social Democrats, Red-Green Alliance and Social Liberals voted in favor, with the Conservatives and Liberal Alliance voting against.

The Copenhagen Municipality will now sell investments in companies including Airbnb, Expedia Group and Booking.com owner Booking Holdings. The companies are included on a UN list of businesses with links to Israeli colonies on territories such as the West Bank.

Last week, according to Anadolu Agency, Copenhagen Mayor Sophie Haestorp Andersen in a statement said: “As a large investor, we have a responsibility for things like human rights. That's why I don't think we should invest in companies that have to do with illegal settlements.”

Earlier, the University of Copenhagen in Denmark announced that it would be withdrawing investments from three companies that operate in occupied Palestinian territories in response to students’ demands in encampments at the main campus.

K.F.