PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence voters approved Question 7 on Tuesday, a citizen-initiated ordinance directing the city to pull its money out of foreign nations it finds engaged in genocide, apartheid, ethnic cleansing or unlawful military occupation. Backers have said the measure targets Israel.
The state Board of Elections count, still unofficial, showed about 75 percent of voters in favor and 25 percent opposed shortly before midnight.
The question is thought to be the first put on a Providence ballot by citizens rather than city officials. The ballot wording did not name Israel. The Providence for Palestine Coalition, which submitted it, has said Israel is the target, but it has not listed which companies the city would have to drop.
The complete text, which voters did not see in full on the ballot, also reaches companies that do business with such countries. Critics warn that could sweep in large firms held in the index funds owned by the city pension system, a roughly $650 million fund with more than $1 billion in unfunded liabilities.
A retired federal judge, William Smith, whom the city legal department paid $15,000 to review the proposal, wrote in a 17-page analysis that it was badly drafted, likely clashes with the city charter and would almost certainly draw lawsuits, whether from opponents or from supporters if pension commissioners refuse to sell holdings.
The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island opposed the measure, calling it antisemitic in its effect because it singles out Israel. The question also split Democratic officials.
Mayor-elect David Morales, who won his own race Tuesday, has pledged to enforce the ordinance. He said he has no timeline yet and wants to carry it out carefully while honoring the vote.
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