Dozens of activists gathered outside the Convention Center in Miami Beach on the second public day of Art Basel Miami Beach to protest the city’s investment in Israeli bonds. The activists, including members of Jewish Voice for Peace South Florida, Al-Awda, and Students for Justice in Palestine at Florida International University, called for a boycott of Art Basel until Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach divest from Israel.
The Miami Beach government doubled its investment in Israeli bonds to $20 million last year, prompting the activists to hand out leaflets with the message “Our tax dollars are funding the genocide of the Palestinian people.” Nearby Palm Beach County has become the world’s largest investor in Israeli bonds, with approximately $700 million of its $4.67 billion portfolio allocated to such investments.
The activists attempted to unfurl a banner that read “LET PALESTINE LIVE” on the steps of the Convention Center, but were met by police officers who declared the area a “security zone” accessible only to event ticket holders. The protesters then relocated to a nearby street corner near Miami Beach City Hall.
Local lawyer Alan Levine, who participated in the protest, believes that the activists’ First Amendment rights were violated and plans to pursue legal action against the city. Police also required the removal of sign poles, citing specific dimensions for permissible signage.
Protester Zaina Alsous expressed satisfaction in disrupting the space and drawing attention to the issue. The activists hope to engage public commissioners and residents in a conversation about Israel’s attacks on Palestinians and the potential for bond funds to be used for local projects.
This activism is part of a long tradition of social justice movements in Miami Beach, with organizer Donna Nevel citing past demonstrations against segregation and in support of farm workers. Nevel emphasized the importance of standing up for justice for the Palestinian people, stating, “It’s my obligation as a Jew to say not in my name, never again.”
The protest at Art Basel Miami Beach is part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the impact of Israeli investment on Palestinian communities and to advocate for divestment from Israel.
