PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Weeks after a Palm Beach County budget hearing ended with residents ordered out and a human rights attorney arrested, opponents of the county’s Israel Bonds investments plan to return to commission chambers Tuesday.
The Internationalist Law Center says more than 50 South Florida residents are expected to attend to urge officials to halt what organizers describe as an upcoming $67.5 million reinvestment in the bonds.
Public comment is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the county Governmental Center. Tuesday’s meeting is a regular commission meeting, rather than a budget hearing, and its published agenda does not list a vote on an Israel Bonds purchase.
Palm Beach County announced in January that its holdings in Israel Bonds had reached $1 billion. The bonds are loans to the Israeli government that earn interest.
Opponents argue the county should direct its money toward local needs. Organizers say they are seeking to stop a $67.5 million reinvestment on Nov. 1.
The planned appearance follows a contentious September budget hearing at which the same organization said it mobilized nearly 100 people to oppose the investments.
County officials said Israel Bonds were outside the scope of that night’s budget discussion and that investment decisions rested with the clerk and comptroller. As residents continued raising the issue, officials ordered several people removed.
“The lady in green — I can see her clapping. Can you please remove her?” Mayor Sara Baxter said during the meeting.
Commissioner Joel Flores told an Air Force veteran being escorted out, “You’re embarrassing that uniform, sir,” prompting an eruption from the crowd.
A Palm Beach County commissioner told a veteran he was “embarrassing” his uniform, deputies removed residents from the chambers and a human rights attorney was arrested as a budget hearing erupted over the county’s $1 billion investment in Israel Bonds. (PBCGOV)
Commissioners called a recess. During that break, deputies arrested Palestinian American human rights attorney Noura Erakat.
The arrest report alleged Erakat refused repeated orders to leave and tried to “incite the riot.” She was charged with misdemeanor trespassing; no riot-related charge was filed.
“Yep. This is what happens when you try to exercise basic free speech,” Erakat said while in handcuffs.
In an interview for CBS12 News’ previous report, Adam Goldstein, vice president of strategic initiatives at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said the distinction between brief applause and disruptive conduct matters.
“If it’s momentary, transitory applauding, that should be within the rights of the attendees,” Goldstein said. “If the applauding becomes disruptive — that is going to be a judgment call.”
The dispute also has reached the courts. A judge dismissed a taxpayer lawsuit challenging the county’s Israel Bonds investments in July. The clerk’s office has defended its investment approach as focused on protecting taxpayer money, maintaining access to funds and earning a market rate of return.
Organizers say they plan to renew their objections during Tuesday’s public-comment period and will be available for interviews afterward.