Cuyahoga County lets $2M in Israel bonds lapse

• These investments became a hot topic in 2024, as local pro-Palestinian activists rallied and organized against U.S. financial support of Israel.

The latest: County Treasurer Brad Cromes notified county officials last week that this sliver of the funds would not be renewed, according to Cleveland.com.

• Cromes paused all long-term investments earlier this year, given the county's financial outlook under the Trump administration.

Between the lines: The county has now let $5 million of its Israel bonds expire, but retains $11 million. Officials continue to say that they will not divest before the funds mature.

What they're saying: Ronayne told Axios this year that divestment was not a prudent financial move for taxpayers.

• "It puts the county in a position to take a side in a matter that's very complicated," he said, "and puts us in a position to make investment policy based on foreign policy, which isn't our place as a county."

What's next: The next $5 million is scheduled to mature on Dec. 1, 2026, Cromes wrote in a memo, per Cleveland.com.

• $3 million matures Dec. 1, 2028, and the final $3 million matures March 1, 2029.