Join us
Break the Bonds Louisiana is a campaign led by Jewish Voice for Peace New Orleans that is building a statewide movement to divest from Israel Bonds. If you live in Louisiana and want to end our state's unrestricted loans to the Israeli government — join us.
Four things you can do today
- Sign our petition demanding that the $10 million in Israel Bonds set to mature on May 1, 2026 not get reinvested
- Facilitate a teach-in about the campaign to the organization or community to which you belong
- Divest from your personal Israel Bonds: Don’t know whether you have Israel Bonds in your name? Call Israel Bonds “Client Support” at 888-519-4111. You will need your social security number.
- Follow Jewish Voice for Peace New Orleans on Instagram for regular updates about the campaign
Israel Bonds are unethical.
Israel has long been committing human rights violations against Palestinians, including mass murder, forced displacement, abusive incarceration, violent restrictions on movement, discriminatory policies, and illegal settlements. Today, billions of US dollars from our state government is funding Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.
Israel Bonds are financially irresponsible.
These investments yield net zero returns, squandering state resources dedicated to supporting local public education. As of August 12, 2024, all three major international credit rating agencies (Fitch, Moody’s, S&P) downgraded Israel’s Long Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) and economic outlook. What is more, Israel Bonds’ lack of secondary market means that Louisiana is likely missing out on key returns for our community and public education that might be possible with other comparable fixed-rate investments.
Israel Bonds drain money from public schools.
The Louisiana State Treasury currently owns $35 million worth of Israel Bonds — unrestricted loans to the Israeli government — which come from the Millenium Trust Fund and the Education Quality Trust Fund, two public funds earmarked for improving local public education. Whlie these investments economically sustain Israel’s brutal occupation, systems of apartheid, military infrastructure, illegal settlement expansion, and genocidal campaign against Palestinians, Israel Bonds are losing money for our public schools.
Endorsing Organizations
- Democratic Socialists of America (DSA): New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport
- Jewish Voice for Peace New Orleans
- Masjid Omar New Orleans
- New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP)
- Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) New Orleans
- Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) New Orleans
- Queer and Trans Community Action Project (QTCAP)
- Students for a Democratic Society (SDS): Tulane, Loyola, and LSU
- Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at University of New Orleans
