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MANSFIELD — Richland County clergy thought they could take their County Treasurer’s word to the bank. After reminding him of his obligations, the Treasurer finally put his money where his mouth was.
In 2017, leading clergymen from forty different local congregations wrote a letter requesting County Treasurer Bart Hamilton and the County Investment Advisory Board take a proactive approach to combat the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) Movement opposing Israel by purchasing bonds from the Jewish state. All was well or so the clergy thought.
After changing the county’s thirty-year old investment policy and formally passing a motion to invest in Israeli bonds on November of 2017, Treasurer Bart Hamilton lost interest in the Israeli bond request.
After being called into question by Benjamin Mutti, Coordinator with the Richland Community Prayer Network, Treasurer Hamilton wrote an email on November 6, 2019 to Mutti, saying “I don’t feel that this is a good investment for a small county like Richland. This investment is designed more for individuals of faith and churches. “
Following a Frontlines Ohio news story uncovering the development, the Treasurer decided to keep his commitment to the clergy.
November 22nd County Treasurer Bart Hamilton wrote Mutti back, reporting: “After meeting with my investment advisors at the County Treasurers Conference last week, I have opened an account with the dealer for Israeli bonds and have placed an order for $200,000 in a two-year note for purchase on December 1st, 2019.”
“After meeting with my investment advisors at the County Treasurers Conference last week, I have opened an account with the dealer for Israeli bonds and have placed an order for $200,000 in a two-year note for purchase on December 1st, 2019.”
Richland County Treasurer Bart Hamilton
The forty clergy who approached Treasurer Hamilton about investing in Israeli bonds believe that money can talk.
The pastors are convinced when the government observes states and counties investing in Israeli bonds, the foreign policy of the American federal government can be influenced in favor of Israel.
In the letter the clergy quoted a Bible verse stating, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be as well.”
This past October, Bonds President & CEO Israel Maimon announced that Israel bond sales in the U.S. crossed the $1 billion mark, making 2019 the seventh consecutive year the $1 billion milestone has been exceeded.
Consequently, over the past three years of the Trump Administration, the U.S. Embassy has finally been moved to Jeruslaem, Israeli sovereignty of the Golan Heights has been recognized, and settlements in Judea and Samaria are no longer considered illegal by the U.S. government.
Mr. Mutti paid a compliment to the County Treasurer.
“We are thankful that Mr. Hamilton has kept his commitment to investing in Israeli Bonds. We appreciate Mr. Hamilton and the Commimssioner Board’s dilligent work to revive our county’s financial status. Without question we expect good yields for Richland County from these bonds and anticipate Washington D.C. will take notice of our local pledge to the Nation of Israel.”
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I am very thankful for our clergy who support Israel. Now I am grateful that Mr. Hamilton has consented to keep his word and support Israel. I thank you Mr. Mutti for making this happen!
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