Israel is taking notice of Palm Beach County’s financial commitment to the country, which is one of the strongest by any government in the world. The president of Israel recently sent this letter to the Palm Beach County clerk of the circuit court and comptroller, thanking the county for its financial commitment to Israel: "I accept that letter on behalf of the residents of Palm Beach County," said Joseph Abruzzo, the clerk of the circuit court and comptroller. "To be recognized internationally for our investment work for supporting what I consider our greatest ally in Israel, it means everything to myself and many in our office, but hopefully for the residents of Palm Beach County as well."Mark Ruben, executive director of Israel bonds in Palm Beach County, said "As the largest investor of Israel bonds in the world, they've taken note of it in Jerusalem. And the result is that letter."Ruben said Palm Beach County has a higher investment in Israel bonds than anywhere else in the world, with the state of New York coming in second, the state of Ohio coming in third and the state of Florida coming in fourth.Palm Beach County has purchased nearly $1 billion in Israel Bonds since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. Israel bonds have been offered since 1951 and Palm Beach County began purchasing them in 2008, but increased its holding of Israel bonds after Oct. 7."It gives me a great deal of pride and satisfaction to know that the message is getting out,” said Ruben.Abruzzo said the Israel bonds are not just benefitting Israel, but Palm Beach County as well.Abruzzo says Israel bonds are expected to bring in more than $35 million in extra income for Palm Beach County this year and the county commission will ultimately decide how those extra funds are used."The Israel bond portion of our portfolio is a big reason why we have that extra income and why we are having record-breaking numbers," said Abruzzo, who says the total extra annual income for the county has grown from from about $27 million in 2021 to an expected $230 million this year.Meanwhile, Ruben says he’s working to get commitments from governments and other entities on the Treasure Coast to purchase Israel bonds.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25 Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —
Israel is taking notice of Palm Beach County’s financial commitment to the country, which is one of the strongest by any government in the world.
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The president of Israel recently sent this letter to the Palm Beach County clerk of the circuit court and comptroller, thanking the county for its financial commitment to Israel:
Courtesy: Israel Bonds
"I accept that letter on behalf of the residents of Palm Beach County," said Joseph Abruzzo, the clerk of the circuit court and comptroller. "To be recognized internationally for our investment work for supporting what I consider our greatest ally in Israel, it means everything to myself and many in our office, but hopefully for the residents of Palm Beach County as well."
Mark Ruben, executive director of Israel bonds in Palm Beach County, said "As the largest investor of Israel bonds in the world, they've taken note of it in Jerusalem. And the result is that letter."
Ruben said Palm Beach County has a higher investment in Israel bonds than anywhere else in the world, with the state of New York coming in second, the state of Ohio coming in third and the state of Florida coming in fourth.
Palm Beach County has purchased nearly $1 billion in Israel Bonds since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. Israel bonds have been offered since 1951 and Palm Beach County began purchasing them in 2008, but increased its holding of Israel bonds after Oct. 7.
"It gives me a great deal of pride and satisfaction to know that the message is getting out,” said Ruben.
Abruzzo said the Israel bonds are not just benefitting Israel, but Palm Beach County as well.
Abruzzo says Israel bonds are expected to bring in more than $35 million in extra income for Palm Beach County this year and the county commission will ultimately decide how those extra funds are used.
"The Israel bond portion of our portfolio is a big reason why we have that extra income and why we are having record-breaking numbers," said Abruzzo, who says the total extra annual income for the county has grown from from about $27 million in 2021 to an expected $230 million this year.
Meanwhile, Ruben says he’s working to get commitments from governments and other entities on the Treasure Coast to purchase Israel bonds.
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Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
