Indiana purchases $35M in Israeli bonds. Advocates say it supports the 'genocide of Palestinians'...

Indiana’s chief investment officer purchased $35 million in Israeli bonds Wednesday. Advocates say the purchase supports “the genocide of Palestinians.”

State Treasurer Daniel Elliott said in a statement the bond purchase reflects his confidence in “Israel’s victory” “over the forces of evil.”

At a demonstration in Indianapolis, protesters called for the disinvestment of U.S. dollars from Israel. Malkah Bird, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace Indiana, said the purchase from Indiana is “unconscionable.”

“Any money that we give to Israel is currently supporting genocide of Palestinians,” she said. “It’s supporting violence and weapons that are being used against Palestinian children, against Palestinian families in Gaza.”

Bird said Hoosiers should question why the investment is being spent in Israel instead of tackling issues in Indiana.

“The idea that our money, that taxpayer dollars here in Indiana, are being used to be sent overseas to fuel a genocidal war against a group of civilians who are trapped – they don’t have anywhere to go – is not something that any of us should be supporting,” Bird said.