Dayton responds to group's allegation of 'illegal' bond invesments

Gov. Mark Dayton criticized a group of pro-Palestinian activists for alleging that he and other state officials are somehow breaking the law by investing in Israeli bonds.

Members of an organization called Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign have been trying to convince the state to divest the bonds, which they claim support human rights violations against Palestinian people. The group has a lawsuit pending in Ramsey County District Court. During Monday's meeting of the State Board of Investment, Dayton said he takes "real offense" with the group claiming that the bonds are illegal.

"These have existed for 20 years. You can disagree with it, that's one thing. You can blast us for that," Dayton said. "But to say we're acting illegally, in direct contradiction to any evidence, is just, I don't think responsible."

State officials have divested investments in Iran and Sudan in recent years. The pro-Palestinian activists argue that Minnesota should now take a similar stand against Israel

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