ST PAUL, Minnesota — The Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI) didn't plan on discussing the Israel-Hamas war at Tuesday's meeting, but that changed when Palestinian supporters stepped in for public comment.
Face to face with the governor, state attorney general and other SBI members, Free Palestine Coalition expressed its desire to have the state divest from ties to Israel. From teachers to state workers, one by one the Palestinian supporters voiced their opposition to Israel's actions in the war and decried financial support to the country.
"The choice I am asking you to make is not about taking sides, it's about making a choice that defunds warfare in order to make space for peace," Dr. Jimmy Hoke said during public comment.
Meredith Aby of the Anti-War Committee said the investments in companies that profit from war need to end, too. State leaders legally can't fulfill these requests from pro-Palestinian supporters, according to experts. Minnesota is one of 35 states that has laws against "Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions."
But the message from activists was heard loud and clear by Israel supporters.
"The main point is this is a form of economic warfare against Israel," Steve Hunegs, executive director, Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, said.
Hunegs said the calls for divestments have been happening for decades.
"Is every innocent human life lost a tragedy? It's awful, there is no question that it's terrible. But this all starts Oct. 7 in the terrorist war that Hamas launched," Hunegs said.
KARE 11 reached out to the Secretary of State's Office for a response to the public comment and was sent this statement, "The State Board of Investment is legally required to make decisions that protect the investments made by the hundreds of thousands public employees across the state whose retirement plans are managed by the Board."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's office did not return requests for comments about the divestment requests.
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