Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds and its affiliates around the world secured more than $200 million in “bond sales and commitments” from investors since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.
This, they noted, includes “$150 million in bond purchases from U.S. states, local municipal governments and an institution, sending an emphatic message of hope to the people of Israel and the global Jewish community.”
According to the statement, the investments were from “the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Florida Department of Financial Services, Illinois State Treasurer, New York State Common Retirement Fund, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts—State Treasury, Treasurer of the State of Ohio, Palm Beach County [in Florida] and Cross River [Bank].”
Israel Bonds said that before the war broke out, it had nearly met its annual goal of $1 billion in bond sales. It also launched a special campaign to raise support for Israel among the American and international Jewish communities in the wake of the war.
“Each investment in an Israel bond provides the nation with impactful and much-needed assistance, through financial support that helps secure the future of the State of Israel and its people,” the statement read.
“Now, on the heels of what many are describing as the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust, Israel Bonds has responded by rallying this historically swift and substantial wave of investment in Israel from U.S. state and municipal governments,” the organization said.
Israel Bonds president and CEO Dani Naveh, a former Israeli health minister, said: “The response across many U.S. states was immediate and demand exceeded the amount of Israel bonds that we were able to sell at that time.
“At the same time, thousands of Jews from all over the world have been expressing their support for Israel by also purchasing bonds for themselves and on behalf of various organizations such as hospitals, emergency service organizations and an organization supporting Israeli soldiers.”
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis noted that “Florida and Israel have deep economic and personal ties, and our state unequivocally stands with Israel following the heinous Iran-backed terrorist attacks this week.
“We made a commitment to support Israel both morally and monetarily, and that’s why I’m proud to announce that Florida will invest an additional $25 million in Israel bonds to further support our ally in the Middle East,” said Patronis.
“This historic investment increases our state’s Israel bond portfolio to more than $80 million and not only provides Florida with a strong investment but also further fortifies Florida’s commitment to stand with and support Israel,” he continued.
“To the people of Israel, Israeli Americans, and Jewish Floridians across our state, Florida is proud to stand with you. I encourage other state treasurers across our country to support Israel by purchasing Israel bonds today,” Patronis said.
Originally published by Israel Hayom.