(Plain Press April 2025) The Cleveland Palestine Advocacy Community (CPAC) celebrates Cuyahoga County’s decision to end its bond investments, including $3 million in Israel Bonds, a move that redirects these funds back for the county’s needs. This decision, announced on February 21, 2025, marks a step toward responsible financial policy and a rejection of investments that support systemic human rights violations.

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   “I know $3 million is only a fraction of the County’s total investment in Israel Bonds,” said Dr. Shereen Naser, a CPAC advocate. “But that’s $3 million less funding the military occupation that restricts my family’s freedom and opportunities and sends bombs to Palestinian schools, and $3 million more that can be used to benefit our own communities here in Cuyahoga County.”

   Since April 2024, CPAC and over 3,000 petition signers have called on Cuyahoga County to divest from Israel Bonds, citing financial, ethical, and legal concerns. Advocates have highlighted the significant downgrades in Israel’s credit ratings, the illiquidity of Israel Bonds due to their inability to be resold, and the moral implications of financing a state that the International Criminal Court has found to be plausibly committing genocide. In the January 24th Investment Advisory Committee meeting the county’s investment advisors, Meeder Investment Management, confirmed that Israel Bonds are currently the riskiest investment in the County’s portfolio. Additionally, numerous international organizations have condemned Israel’s long-standing apartheid policies against Palestinians.