Noura Erakat, a Palestinian-American activist and human rights lawyer, was arrested on Tuesday at a Palm Beach County, Florida, budget hearing. She was among several individuals forcibly removed by law enforcement after attempting to speak out against the county's investments in Israeli bonds.
Erakat stated that the county's mayor, Sara Baxter, reduced speaking time from three minutes to one and later restricted speakers to residents only. Erakat also recalled that Baxter said speakers could not address the Israeli bonds issue, deeming it a policy matter rather than a budget one. Erakat was charged with a trespass misdemeanor.
Palm Beach County's investment of over $1bn in Israeli bonds is reportedly the largest by a municipal government. This issue has become controversial, with a group of residents having sued the county last year over the investment, alleging violations of local laws. The case was dismissed in August for lack of standing, but the plaintiffs are appealing the decision.