NYC Comptroller Walks Back Pledge to Buy Israel Bonds
Levine said the city’s pension funds will stay out of the bonds after a review found lower ratings, regional instability and weaker near-term returns.
- On Wednesday, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine announced he will not reinvest in Israel Bonds, reversing a 2025 campaign pledge to restore the investments after his predecessor ended the practice in 2023.
- Levine cited "technical challenges" and downgraded credit ratings as reasons, telling The New York Times that regional instability makes the bonds "not an investment that we can make right now." He maintained the decision is strictly financial, not political.
- Despite the policy change, New York City pension systems continue to hold more than $285 million in Israel-related assets, including public equities and real estate investment trusts. The comptroller emphasized the decision applies only to sovereign debt instruments, not total divestment.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani welcomed the decision, while former Comptroller Scott Stringer warned it could spark BDS calls and "cause further antisemitism." Stringer argued the city must prioritize long-term asset allocation over short-term developments.
- New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli continues to hold $360 million in Israel Bonds, stating the investments remain part of the state's fixed-income portfolio. This divergence highlights differing municipal and state approaches to foreign sovereign debt management.
19 Articles
19 Articles
NYC to Stop Investing Pension Funds in Israeli Bonds
The New York City comptroller, Democrat Mark Levine, says the city will not be investing its pension funds in Israeli bonds, since the quality of the bonds have deteriorated amid the wars in Gaza and Iran. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani welcomed the decision. Mayor Zohran Mamdani: “I welcome the comptroller’s decision. It is something that I’ve said in the past, that I don’t believe that our city should purchase Israel bonds. We don’t purcha…
Early Addition: NYC comptroller backs off investing city pension funds in Israel bonds
Because Mark Levine pledged to make the investment during his campaign, here are your early links: A mini T-Rex skeleton on display at Sotheby's, New Yorkers love a fancy bird, excellent chalupas in Corona and more.
NYC Comptroller Mark Levine Reneges on Campaign Pledge to Restore Municipal Investments in Israel Bonds; Sparking Fierce Backlash & Accusations of Capitulating to Anti-Israel Pressure
NYC Comptroller Mark Levine Reneges on Campaign Pledge to Restore Municipal Investments in Israel Bonds; Sparking Fierce Backlash & Accusations of Capitulating to Anti-Israel Pressure By: Tzirel Rosenblatt New York City Comptroller Mark Levine has ignited a contentious political dispute after announcing that he will not restore municipal investments in Israel Bonds, reversing a prominent […]
Comptroller Mark Levine, an outspoken supporter of Israel, says his office had decided against purchasing bonds
New York City comptroller, with Mamdani’s backing, abandons vow to buy Israel bonds
New York's annual report details hundreds of millions invested in China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Vietnam, Kuwait, and other unfree or risky countries that hardly anyone raises a peep about.
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