Miami-Dade County has increased the percentage of its investment portfolio that may be placed in Israeli bonds, allowing the county to significantly expand its financial holdings in debt issued by the Israeli government.

The Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution raising the permitted allocation from 3% to 5% of the county’s approximately $9 billion investment portfolio.

At the new ceiling, Miami-Dade could theoretically hold roughly $450 million in Israeli bonds, although current holdings remain substantially below that level.

According to the county’s third-quarter investment report, Israeli bonds currently account for approximately 1.48% of the portfolio, worth roughly $130 million.

The measure was adopted unanimously as part of a larger group of ordinances considered during a lengthy county commission meeting.

Israeli bonds are debt securities issued by the State of Israel and sold in the United States through an underwriter. Local governments and other public entities across the country have invested in them for decades.

The Miami-Dade decision comes amid significant public debate over government investments connected to Israel, particularly during the continuing regional conflict.

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