America's ties to Israel sometimes come up in U.S. elections, as does the Iranian nuclear threat. Recently both issues made an appearance at the state level, as New York prepared to vote for State Comptroller. Although the position does not include foreign policy, it does include investment decisions.
Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli has touted his tough stance on terrorist regimes and those that flagrantly abuse human rights. Dinapoli has used his position to hit Iran and Sudan when it comes to investing the state's $129 billion pension funds.
He met this week with members of the Bukharian Jewish community and received their support. He told them that he supports Israel, and has purchased Israel Bonds.
Dinapoli told the Bukharian leaders that he is committed to divesting from companies that do business with Iran. The Islamic regime in Iran has been hit by tough sanctions over its refusal to open its nuclear program to international oversight, which has been coupled with calls to destroy Israel.
Republican candidate Harry Wilson has charged Dinapoli with bearing partial responsibility for the hit that New York employee pension funds took during the economic downturn. Wilson, who has a strong background in finance, has promised “a turnaround” if he is elected.
Dinapoli has said that Wilson's financial background is nothing to be proud of, saying recently that his opponent “comes out of a culture and value system that engaged in some very reckless behavior.”