Minn. Investment Board Won't Divest Israeli Bonds

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Members of Minnesota's State Board of Investment, led by Gov. Mark Dayton, are writing off a lawsuit by pro-Palestinian activists who allege that Israeli bonds held by the state of Minnesota are illegal and should be divested.

The board met Monday. Last week, the Minnesota Break the Bonds Campaign sued in Ramsey County Court arguing that Israel breaks international law and violates human rights in its treatment of the Palestinian people, and that by investing in Israeli bonds the board is implicating Minnesota taxpayers in those actions.

But an attorney for the investment board says there's no basis in state law to divest Israeli bonds.

Dayton says he's sympathetic to some of the arguments of the activists but believes they spread misleading information about options available to the Investment Board.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)