It is time for pension funds to take a stand against companies involved in human rights abuses in occupied Palestine, such as Caterpillar.
Norway’s KLP pension fund has divested from Caterpillar over concerns about its role in human rights abuses in occupied Palestine. Caterpillar’s bulldozers, imported and weaponized by Israeli Tractors and Equipment, have been used to demolish Palestinian homes and infrastructure for decades, leading to numerous human rights warnings.
The United Nations has called on companies like Caterpillar to stop transferring weapons to Israel, citing complicity in international crimes. Reports of Caterpillar bulldozers being used in attacks on homes and infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza continue to surface, highlighting the company’s complicity in ongoing violations.
KLP’s decision to blacklist Caterpillar and other companies involved in illegal settlements reflects a commitment to human rights. Pension funds must prioritize ethical investments and hold companies accountable for their actions in conflict zones.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.