Copenhagen University is facing criticism after it emerged that they have investments worth a million kroner in companies mentioned on a UN list of firms with ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. This includes well-known names like Booking.com, Airbnb, and eDreams. According to a post on the social media platform X, the university’s board discussed this issue in April but found it difficult to find investment products that exclude companies on the UN list, as such a market apparently does not exist. This investment strategy has caught the attention of students, especially a group of pro-Palestinian students who have organized a protest camp on the university campus. They demand that the university reevaluate its investments and take a more ethical stance towards their financial decisions.
Copenhagen University has not yet announced any plans to change its investment policy but confirms that they are aware of the situation and the students’ concerns. They emphasize the importance of maintaining an open dialogue with all of the university’s stakeholders. This case raises important questions about ethical investments and the role that educational institutions play in promoting sustainability and human rights globally. It remains to be seen how Copenhagen University will handle this complex situation going forward.