WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (VINnews) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to block Palm Beach County’s investment in Israel bonds, concluding that the plaintiffs failed to establish a legal basis to pursue the case.

The lawsuit, filed last year by three Palestinian American residents, challenged the county’s roughly $1 billion investment in Israeli government bonds. The plaintiffs argued the purchases were improper and claimed the investments caused them harm because relatives in Gaza were affected by the war.

Circuit Judge Glenn Kelley ruled that the alleged injuries were too indirect to support a taxpayer lawsuit and said the plaintiffs had not demonstrated that the county’s investment decisions were legally responsible for the losses they described.

Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Mike Caruso, whose office manages the county’s investment portfolio, said the ruling confirms the investments were made in accordance with the office’s responsibility to preserve public funds, maintain liquidity and seek competitive returns.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs criticized the decision and said they are evaluating whether to appeal. They contend the county’s investment strategy violated state law by placing political considerations ahead of its financial obligations to taxpayers.

The case centered on investment decisions that began after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. County officials expanded their purchases of Israel bonds in the months that followed, saying the investments offered solid returns while also expressing support for Israel.

The plaintiffs also argued the county’s holdings represented an outsized share of its investment portfolio. County officials have said the investments remain consistent with their financial objectives.