Providence Voters Pass Historic Binding Ordinance to Divest From Israel

Voters in Providence, Rhode Island, overwhelmingly passed a binding municipal ordinance on November 3 requiring the city to divest from companies and sovereign debt tied to genocide and human rights violations, making it the largest U.S. city to take such an action through a popular vote.

Listed on the ballot as Question 7, the measure secured 75 percent of the vote after a grassroots campaign led by the Providence for Palestine coalition, according to reporting by Truthout. Organizers said that the ordinance is primarily aimed at divesting public funds from Israel over its military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, alongside a 20-year history of city investments in Israel Bonds.

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐒𝐑𝐀𝐄𝐋 𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝟕𝟓% 𝐓𝐎 𝟐𝟓% — 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐘𝐄𝐓 Providence, Rhode Island just became the 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐔. 𝐒. 𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 ever to vote for divesting public… pic.twitter.com/HBtx0MmmbQ

— Post by @MichaelARothman on X

The successful ballot measure marks a sharp shift from prior legislative efforts. In 2024, Jewish Voice for Peace–Rhode Island launched a campaign to pass Israel bonds divestment legislation through the city council. That effort stalled after outgoing Democratic Mayor Brett Smiley threatened a veto and pressured council members to oppose it.

Facing resistance from city leadership, local organizers turned to a petition process outlined in the Providence city charter. Following a model established by Somerville, Massachusetts, which passed a nonbinding boycott referendum in November 2025, the coalition collected more than 10,000 signatures to place the binding question directly before voters.

The Providence for Palestine coalition brought together Jewish Voice for Peace–Rhode Island, the Rhode Island chapter of the Democratic Socialists, Reclaim RI, American Muslims for Palestine MA/RI, and AFT Local 6516, which represents unionized graduate workers at Brown University.

“These victories are deeply connected, both reflect a shared vision for a Providence that puts people before profit, stands for justice, and ensures that our public resources reflect our values,” said David Morales, the mayor-elect of Providence, in a statement reported by USA Today.

“It was regular people who said, ‘we are going to create this ordinance, we are going to get enough signatures to get this on the ballot, we are not waiting for our elected officials to do something, we are going to do that work ourselves to make it happen,'” Goldman told Truthout.

Under the approved ordinance, the city treasurer and the board of investment commissioners are directed to align municipal investments—including the retirement and pension system—away from complicit entities, though organizers said that the transition will take time.

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Outgoing Mayor Smiley strongly opposed the measure, arguing that it would face legal challenges.

“Question 7 is unlawful, unmanageable, and will make us unsafe,” said Brett Smiley, outgoing mayor of Providence, in a social media post highlighted by USA Today. “It’s unlawful because the city has said it will violate the city charter. It’s unmanageable because investment advisors won’t know how to implement it.”

The measure is widely expected to face future legal reviews as city officials determine how to execute the voter-mandated divestment directives.