Miami-Dade’s investment in Israel is good policy and reaffirms shared values | Opinion
In times of global uncertainty, the true test of leadership is the ability to hold fast to principle.
Miami-Dade has always been a community that thinks globally and leads with purpose. Its diversity, resilience and sense of shared responsibility have made the county a model for how local leadership can reflect global values. Public investment is not simply a financial decision — it is a reflection of our values, our foresight and our belief in partnership.
Nearly 10 years ago, Miami-Dade expanded its investment policy to include Israel Bonds. It was a prudent move, grounded in sound economics. Israel Bonds are fixed-income securities backed by the full faith and credit of the state of Israel — a resilient democracy with an investment-grade long term debt and a 74-year track record of never missing a single payment. Not through wars, oil crises, recessions or even the pandemic.
For Miami-Dade, Israel Bonds have delivered steady, reliable returns while helping to diversify the county’s portfolio. Recently, some groups have called for divestment, but such campaigns overlook the careful analysis and longstanding performance that inform these investment decisions. To look at Israel Bonds through a singular lens of the latest multi-front war would be a mistake, and calls for Miami-Dade County to suddenly divest after nearly a decade of consistent investment would be to ignore both economic reality and moral clarity.
Florida has long recognized the wisdom of that choice. For years, the state treasury has invested in Israel Bonds, and local counties across the state, including Broward and Palm Beach, have followed suit. These decisions were made by economic and investment professionals focused on fiduciary responsibility, not political activism.
Since October 7, 2023, when Israel endured the deadliest terrorist attack in its history, Israel Bonds has raised more than $5.7 billion globally — nearly half from public institutions across the United States. Investors are not running from Israel; they are showing confidence in its resilience and economic strength. Markets, after all, respond to performance, not politics.
At a time when Israel is under attack and antisemitism is on the rise here at home, divesting now would also send the wrong message to Miami’s Jewish community — one that has long stood for democracy, decency and global stability. Miami is home to one of the most vibrant Jewish populations in the country, a community that has helped shape the very identity of this city.
Israel plays a vital role in regional and international security, standing as America’s strongest democratic ally in the Middle East. Investing in its economy is not just good policy — it is a reaffirmation of the shared values that bind our nations: freedom, innovation and the pursuit of peace. Investing in Israel Bonds does not take funds away from local priorities; it is part of a county portfolio designed to grow resources that can ultimately benefit Miami-Dade’s residents.
In a volatile global economy, few investments offer the combination of stability, reliability and shared purpose that Israel Bonds represent. They have performed across generations, through every test of time.
Miami-Dade’s continued investment in Israel Bonds is more than a financial choice — it’s a statement of what the county believes in: fiscal responsibility, moral clarity and enduring partnerships built on trust and shared values.
The strength and wisdom of our leaders and community is measured not by how it responds when times are easy, but by how it stands when they are hard.
Andrew M. Hutter, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and South Florida resident, is national and international chairman of the board of directors of Israel Bonds. A 20-year leader within the organization, he has held numerous national and regional roles, co-founded the national medical division and helped mentor the next generation of Israel Bonds leaders.