CUNY says it will not divest from Israel after disclosing investment portfolio sought by anti-Israel activists

The City University of New York (CUNY) has stated it will not divest from Israel, citing legal prohibitions and consistent denouncement of BDS activity. This announcement follows the release of investment records sought by anti-Israel student activists, specifically Sarah Southey of CUNY Law Students for Justice in Palestine, who filed a Freedom of Information Law request in March 2024. A university spokesperson affirmed, "The university has made it clear it will not participate in divestment and is prohibited by law," referencing New York's Executive Order 157, which mandates divestment from entities engaged in BDS against Israel. The disclosed records show CUNY holds investments in defense companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Elbit Systems. The university released these records after a legal settlement in August, agreeing to provide investment reports and pay $20,000 in legal fees.