Israel Bonds: A bad investment for N.Y.

Ancram, N.Y.: I was shocked to read Tom DiNapoli (photo) call himself a progressive in his bid to win reelection as state comptroller (“Earning a new term as N.Y. comptroller,” op-ed, June 7). Progressives don’t support genocide, and New York State employees shouldn’t want their pensions invested in it. Aside from the obvious moral objections to his investing in Israel Bonds, it doesn’t make fiscal sense.

From Drew Warshaw’s research (to whose candidacy I’m not committed): “It turns out, the government of Israel actually issues two types of bonds. The first are traditional sovereign bonds and can be freely traded between investors on ‘secondary’ markets. These bonds comprise 10% of our pension fund’s holdings. The second type, which represents 90% of our pension fund’s holdings, cannot be traded without the express permission of Israel’s government and thus must be held to maturity. This second type of sovereign bond is nearly unheard of in capital markets because the credit risk an investor takes on is total. If Israel’s finances begin to erode, if its credit rating falls, or if New York’s pension fund simply needs to raise cash to pay beneficiaries, unlike similarly-rated bonds from Ireland, Japan, Spain and the like, there is no getting out of this position. New York is stuck.

“Is it possible that New York taxpayers are compensated for this unique risk? Is the return on this special class of bonds so enticing that it is worth owning such a disproportionate amount? Not even close.”

Dave Hall

Cease & divest

Glens Falls, N.Y.: If DiNapoli wants to earn a new term and label himself progressive, at minimum he needs to divest from Israel Bonds, as both his opponents have pledged to do. As a New York taxpayer, I’m incensed that my tax dollars are being funneled to a genocidal apartheid state and used to fund the killing and forced displacement of Palestinians. As of March 18, the death toll in Gaza had risen to 72,253, with another 171,912 injured (figures believed to be vastly underestimated). The ceasefire that began in October 2025 is, as always, a complete sham, and as of March 18 had been violated more than 2,000 times. I can think of no way to be more complicit in genocide than by actively and knowingly funding it. If DiNapoli wants to be progressive, he’ll stop making the entire state complicit in genocide.

Elizabeth Bernstein

Wrong side of history

San Mateo, Calif.: In the 20th century, Germany and Japan had just invaded Poland and China and commenced expanding their territory while eliminating the resident populations. During complex negotiations, the Japanese Empire launched a surprise attack on the U.S. It was game on for the Second World War. Fast-forward to today. We and Israel attacked Iran in what the entire world sees as an “illegal war of aggression,” the term used to prosecute the Nazis and Japanese. What’s the Israeli role here? They appear intent on eliminating Arab populations in the areas they control and are attempting to expand their borders. Weren’t we the good guys in the first instance? Weren’t Jewish populations the targets in the earlier story? We seem to have switched roles completely. We appear to be in the looking glass, darkly — and from the other side.

Mike Caggiano

Lethal ride

Bronx: Who am I to question Mayor Mamdani and the wisdom of socialism? I just feel that fellow Bronxite and father of seven Jonathan Pettigrew would’ve rather paid for his MTA bus ride with a few hard-earned dollars than with his life (“Loving dad shot down,” June 10). Then again, Democrat Gov. Hochul’s Concealed Carry Improvement Act, which prohibits possessing a firearm on public transportation, did absolutely nothing to prevent this tragedy either. An obscene price to pay for a hard-working native New Yorker.

Joe Schulok

Lewd lawman

Jackson Heights: With regards to the cop who had sexual relations with a woman after he arrested her, perhaps it’s time to de-fun the police.

Glenn B. Jacobi

Essential seating

Bronx: Old people and those with disabilities need to sit as they wait for the subways. When a passenger gets sick on a train, often the conductor takes them out and sits them on a seat on the platform with a Good Samaritan passenger. If there are no seats, there’ll be no place to put sick passengers and the train will have to stay in the station, delaying the system.

Kevin Harrington

Lucky streak

Brooklyn: With all the hysteria surrounding the Knicks, let’s get down to facts. They lucked out when they didn’t have to face Boston, Detroit or Oklahoma City. It’s questionable if they would’ve even made it to the Finals if you changed the scenario. They drew much weaker rivals en route to the Finals, so let’s not enshrine them. The sports gods shined on them for once in a long while. If some of these wild-eyed fans would stop and think for a moment, they’d realize the truth.

Dominic D’Allesandro

Fine ’til then

Bronx: Voicer Larry Leiner: Enough with your MAGA spew of hate and lies. You had the audacity to say the Monday night Knicks watch party cancellation wasn’t because of President Trump’s attendance but because of “criminals” and “thugs” who caused MSG and police to take necessary actions and precautions. Let’s get something straight: The MSG watch party has been intact throughout the Knicks playoff games without incident. It only changed because of Trump, who created a hostile atmosphere with his attendance and threw the Knicks off focus. There were no criminals, no thugs and no incidents prior to Monday’s game to warrant such changes — except for Trump’s highly unwelcome visit. He only attended the game to inconvenience Knicks fans and other New Yorkers, and to have a publicity stunt.

Michael S. Wilbekin

Misbehaved

Brooklyn: Did anyone else see the pictures of the entitled Knicks fans standing on top of the MSG sign or climbing poles at Monday’s game? I don’t call that normal celebrating, I call it out of line and probably illegal. And blaming Trump for the extra security is ridiculous. Any president would need amped-up security. Let’s use common sense and admit that precautions were put in place because the police were trying their best to contain the thugs who spoiled everything after Game 2. Stop whining and complaining, people. There are plenty of places to watch the games without fear of personal injury. How about a house party or gathering at a local bar? A sad commentary on the times we live in.

Vera Badamo

Personal agenda

Toronto: It seems that Trump’s top priorities are his vanity projects and deporting illegal aliens, and not inflation, access to and the cost of healthcare for anyone but the very rich, or bringing peace to the Middle East. Why is that? Remember that when you cast your ballot this fall.

Peter Earle