North Carolina Treasury Exposes BDS Groups' False Victory Claims Over Israeli Bonds

Anti-Israel activists in North Carolina are celebrating a phantom victory after falsely claiming the state's $6.7 million sale of Israeli government bonds as a BDS triumph. The reality tells a different story entirely.

The North Carolina Department of State Treasurer firmly rejected these misleading claims, stating unequivocally that "The sale of two Israel Government International bonds was not related to a divestment exercise." Instead, the bonds were sold during a routine portfolio rebalancing that targeted securities with shorter maturity periods.

BDS Groups Manufacture False Narrative

Despite clear statements from state officials, the Jewish Voice for Peace Triangle chapter proclaimed on Instagram: "VICTORY: NC DIVESTS FROM ISRAEL!! Genocide and apartheid are a bad investment." This inflammatory rhetoric demonstrates the lengths to which anti-Israel groups will go to manufacture victories where none exist.

The Break the Bonds North Carolina Coalition, comprising JVP chapters and Muslims for Social Justice, had been pressuring the state for months. Their petition, delivered with 4,600 signatures on October 29, demanded divestment from what they falsely characterized as investments in "genocide, occupation, and apartheid."

Truth Defeats Propaganda

The treasury department's response demolished these claims entirely. Officials confirmed that the "rebalancing exercise took place before Break the Bonds NC Coalition presented its petition to our department." Furthermore, North Carolina continues to hold Israeli bonds within its broader investment portfolio as of October's end.

This pattern of false claims isn't isolated. Similar incidents occurred at Pitzer College in California and in Minnesota, where BDS activists claimed credit for routine financial decisions that had nothing to do with their campaigns.

North Carolina's Pro-Israel Foundation Remains Strong

The likelihood of genuine BDS success in North Carolina was always minimal. In 2017, the state enacted legislation banning state agencies from conducting business with companies that boycott Israel. Republican State Treasurer Brad Briner leads the department, supported by a Republican legislative majority.

While some Democratic politicians have embraced anti-Israel positions, including Rep. Valerie Foushee's rejection of AIPAC donations and the state Democratic Party's arms embargo resolution, North Carolina's institutional commitment to Israel remains unwavering.

A Pattern of Deception Exposed

These manufactured victories reveal the desperation within the BDS movement. From New York City's complex investment situation to Michigan and Minnesota's routine portfolio adjustments, anti-Israel groups consistently misrepresent normal financial operations as ideological victories.

Ari Rosenberg of JVP Triangle claimed the decision "represents the power of people's voices," but the treasury's timeline proves their petition played no role in the bond sale. This disconnect between activist rhetoric and financial reality exposes the movement's reliance on propaganda over truth.

North Carolina's steadfast support for Israel, backed by strong legislative protections and responsible financial management, continues to frustrate BDS efforts. The state's commitment to the Jewish state remains as solid as the bonds of friendship between our peoples, rooted in shared democratic values and mutual respect.