Bank Leumi stock named in Norway fund's $661 million exit

Published on 11/04/2026 at 10:48 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Bank Leumi stock was among five Israeli banks affected by Norway's fund withdrawal. The move followed an ethical review announced on October 12.

Norway fund decision raises ESG focus

The withdrawal covered five Israeli banks and followed an ethical review.
The October 12 decision concerns the combined holdings of the affected banks, not a Bank Leumi-only amount.
The November 3 update did not change the event date.

Bank Leumi Le- Israel B.m, IL0006046119, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Norway's sovereign wealth fund withdrew investments from five Israeli banks, including Bank Leumi Le-Israel B.M., in a decision announced on October 12, 2026. Arab News reported that the combined holdings were valued at 661 million US dollars as of June.

Ownership decision follows review

The affected institutions are First International Bank of Israel, FIBI Holdings, Bank Leumi, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank and Bank Hapoalim. Norway's Government Pension Fund Global is managed by Norges Bank Investment Management.

Arab News said the fund linked the exclusions to an ethical review and cited an unacceptable risk that the companies could contribute to serious violations of individual rights in situations of war or conflict. The report places the decision in the context of Norway's wider review of Israeli corporate holdings.

What the decision means

For Bank Leumi investors, the withdrawal puts institutional ownership and ESG scrutiny in focus alongside the bank's operating performance. The combined figure cited by Arab News applies to the five affected banks and should not be read as a direct divestment amount for Bank Leumi alone.

The November 3 update of the report did not turn the earlier decision into a new transaction. Investors should therefore distinguish the October 12 event date from the later publication update.