A recent investigation by Middle East Eye has uncovered that the University of Oxford holds indirect investments in at least 49 companies implicated in illegal Israeli activities within occupied Palestinian territories. These investments, valued at over £19 million ($25.5 million), represent a small fraction of Oxford’s £8 billion endowment but have sparked significant ethical concerns. Critics argue that these holdings contradict the university’s stated commitment to ethical investment practices and raise questions about the transparency of its broader financial portfolio. The investments are managed through a passive equity tracker fund developed in collaboration with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. While the fund excludes companies involved in fossil fuels and controversial weapons, it does not screen out firms listed on a UN database for complicity in human rights violations related to Israeli settlements. Notable companies in the fund include major Israeli banks, travel-sector giants like Expedia and Airbnb, and U.S. technology firm Motorola Solutions. The Oxford BDS Coalition, comprising students and staff, has condemned the university’s involvement, accusing it of profiting from human rights abuses and calling for immediate divestment. Despite repeated awareness of these issues, Oxford has yet to take decisive action, prompting calls for greater accountability and transparency in its investment practices. The revelations come amid growing international criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, with other institutions, such as Norway’s sovereign wealth fund and the Dutch pension fund ABP, already divesting from companies linked to the occupation. The case highlights the broader ethical dilemmas faced by academic institutions in aligning their financial strategies with their missions and values.
Oxford University invested in at least 49 firms linked to illegal Israeli activity
