Liberty University bucks trend of divestment in Israel

Liberty University’s Investment Committee announced today that it has authorized its first Israeli-focused endowment investment. The initial investment of $5 million selected by the Committee focuses on venture capital in the healthcare sector. The fund invests in Israeli companies in strategic fields, including oncology, biopharmaceuticals, and digital health, with a strong focus on cancer immunotherapy. The investment was sourced by the University’s investment manager, Permanens Capital.

In addition to the pure investment opportunity, this financial commitment is consistent with the University’s continued strong support of Israel.

“Liberty University’s support for Israel is longstanding,” said University President Jerry Falwell, Jr. “Since its founding in 1971, Liberty University has supported Israel. Scores of Liberty students and faculty have visited Israel and collaborated with Israeli academic institutions.”

Liberty’s student organization Stand with Israel has been recognized by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee as the most active club in the country. Liberty’s student government passed an amendment to its constitution in 2015 forbidding legislation supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. This effort to disavow the BDS movement stands in contrast with Israel divestment resolutions recently passed by other colleges and universities.

Additional Liberty investments in Israel will focus on leading-edge development projects in the technology, medical, and defense industries.

“Israel is a hotbed of healthcare and technology venture capital, and allocations to managers in these sectors are a logical complement to Liberty’s investment portfolio,” said John Regan, Permanens’ co-founder and Chief Investment Officer.