Jason Delgado
Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced the Florida State Treasury on Thursday purchased an additional $10 million worth of Israel Bonds.
In a news release, Patronis said Florida now has $60 million invested in Israel Bonds. He described the total investment as “historic.”
“This significant investment further highlights and strengthens the relationship between Florida and Israel, our ally and economic partner in the Middle East,” Patronis said in a statement. “Not only does this purchase provide Florida with a strong and dependable investment, it emphasizes Florida’s commitment to stand with and support Israel and work towards our collective goal to build a better, stronger Florida.”
Under the CFO’s guidance, the state treasury has invested in Israel Bonds as part of a long-range investment strategy. Patronis described the bonds as an investment into an “economy that has a commitment to innovation and cutting-edge technology.”
Rep. Randy Fine of Brevard County applauded Patronis and the purchase. Fine, who himself is Jewish, helped lead the charge on a bill to ensure Florida kids learn about the Holocaust in school earlier in the year.
“Thank you, CFO Patronis for your outstanding leadership and continued dedication to strengthen the Israel/Florida relationship,” Fine said. “Indeed, Jimmy Patronis is the most pro-Israel CFO in the United States. A strong Israel is good for Florida, and you have been a forceful advocate for the connection between our economies and our people. I am proud that our state now owns the largest amount of Israeli bonds in its history and know that our shared bond will only continue to grow.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican colleagues have long championed the relationship between Israel in Florida.
DeSantis alongside legislative leaders in June signed a bill banning anti-Semitism in Florida’s public schools while traveling in Jerusalem.
It was the first bill in Florida history signed on foreign soil.
