Earlier this week, the PA Senate passed a measure to show support to Israel.
On Thursday, Senate Bill 1260 was passed, which prohibits the PA Treasurer’s Office, the State Employees Retirement System, the Public School Employees Retirement System, and the PA Municipal Retirement System from boycotting or divesting from Israel. The measure also cuts off state tax dollars from going to higher education institutions that boycott or divest from Israel. This is seen as a way to support Israelis in their fight against the militant group Hamas after the attack that was made on October 7th of last year. Since then, college campuses have seen an uptick in antisemitic protests calling for the destruction of Israel. Some of those protests were successful in getting colleges to not only divest from the country, but also businesses that work with the Israeli government.
Pennsylvania’s treasury currently has a $56 million investment in the country, including a purchase of $20 million in Israeli bonds after the Hamas attack.
The bill moves to the PA House for further approval.
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