Maryland Pension System's Divestment from Israeli Bonds Marks a Significant Victory for Peace Activists

The recent decision by the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System to divest most of its holdings in Israeli sovereign bonds is being hailed as a significant victory for peace activists in the state. This development marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace and the Break the Bonds Campaign, which have been advocating for the divestment of public pension funds from Israeli bonds.

At a recent rally in Baltimore, Evie Frankl, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace and the Break the Bonds Campaign and the daughter of Holocaust survivors, praised the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System's decision. 'When we started this campaign, held about $73-$74 million worth of Israel bonds, and currently we're down to $11 million in Israel bonds. That's an 85% reduction in their holdings. And we're declaring that a victory, but we want them to divest the other $11 million, and we want a policy to make clear that they can't reinvest.'

The decision by the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System to divest from Israeli bonds is a significant victory for peace activists who have been advocating for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement. This movement was launched in 2005 with the aim of pressuring the Israeli government to end its occupation of Palestinian territories. The movement has gained momentum in recent years, with numerous institutions and organizations announcing their decision to divest from Israeli bonds.

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System's decision to divest from Israeli bonds is also significant given the state's history of investing in companies that operate in occupied Palestinian territories. The decision to divest from these companies is a clear indication that the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System is committed to responsible and ethical investing.

However, the fight for Palestinian rights is far from over. As Evie Frankl emphasized, 'we want them to divest the other $11 million, and we want a policy to make clear that they can't reinvest.' This indicates that peace activists will continue to advocate for the complete divestment of Israeli bonds from the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System.

The implications of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System's decision to divest from Israeli bonds are significant. This decision sets a precedent for other institutions and organizations to follow suit and divest from Israeli bonds. It also sends a strong message to the Israeli government that the international community is committed to holding it accountable for its actions in occupied Palestinian territories.

In the future, we can expect to see more institutions and organizations announcing their decision to divest from Israeli bonds. This will continue to put pressure on the Israeli government to end its occupation of Palestinian territories and to respect the human rights of the Palestinian people.

As Evie Frankl noted, 'we're declaring that a victory, but we want them to divest the other $11 million, and we want a policy to make clear that they can't reinvest.' This indicates that peace activists will continue to advocate for the complete divestment of Israeli bonds from the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System and other institutions.