Summary:

NYC Comptroller Brad Lander is accused of "divesting" city pension funds from Israeli government bonds.
This contrasts with the investments made by previous comptrollers and the $363.9 million investment held by the New York State pension system.
Critics claim Lander's actions are a form of "passive divestment" driven by political motivations.
The controversy involves Lander's stance against BDS, but his actions are seen by some as an implicit support for anti-Israel sentiments.
The issue has significant political implications, particularly in the upcoming mayoral primary.

NYC Comptroller Accused of Divesting Pension Funds from Israel

NYC Comptroller Brad Lander is facing accusations of quietly pulling New York City pension funds from Israeli government bonds. This allegedly contrasts with the actions of his predecessors and the New York State pension system, which holds a substantial $363.9 million investment in Israeli bonds.

The city initially invested $30 million in Israeli bonds in 1974. While previous Comptrollers Bill Thompson, John Liu, and Scott Stringer reinvested when bonds matured, Lander's administration now reports only $1.17 million remaining, held solely by the Police Pension Fund.

Lander's office claims the city doesn't invest directly in foreign sovereign debt, but critics like Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, a former CUNY trustee and Israel bond investor, argue this constitutes "passive divestment" for political reasons.

Wiesenfeld accuses Lander of aligning himself with anti-Israel groups, contrasting him with State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who maintains a significant investment in Israeli bonds and is praised for his stance.

While Lander's office denies supporting BDS, the controversy highlights the politically charged nature of the issue and its potential impact on the upcoming mayoral primary.

Former Comptroller Scott Stringer, a mayoral rival to Lander, declined to comment on the situation.

Source: New York Post