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Washington State Divests $53M from Caterpillar Over Human Rights Concerns
Activists claim victory after pressuring state to pull investments from equipment company over its ties to Israeli military actions.
Mar. 26, 2026 at 7:11pm
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A coalition of Jewish and Palestinian human rights advocates has successfully pressured the Washington state treasurer's office to divest $53 million in investments in the equipment company Caterpillar. The group 'Cut Ties with Genocide' charges that Caterpillar bulldozers have been used by the Israeli military for 60 years to tear down homes in Gaza and other Palestinian territories.
Why it matters
This divestment highlights growing concerns over companies profiting from human rights abuses, as well as the power of grassroots activism to influence state investment policies. It also raises questions about the role of U.S. military aid to Israel and the use of American-made equipment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The details
The group argued that Caterpillar continues to supply machinery that is used for the 'ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.' They pointed out that in the past, the state treasurer's guidelines have led to the end of investments in fossil fuels and weapons manufacturers. Caterpillar released a statement saying it does not 'condone the illegal or immoral use of any Caterpillar equipment,' but did not say whether it would stop selling to Israel.
- The state treasurer's office initiated its Environmental Social Government guidelines in 2021.
- The state divested the $53 million from Caterpillar in March 2026.
The players
Cut Ties with Genocide
A coalition of Jewish and Palestinian human rights advocates that pressured the Washington state treasurer's office to divest from Caterpillar.
Rae Levine
An organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace in Seattle who said state officials listened to the group's concerns and took action.
Rachel Corrie
An Olympia-born rights activist who was killed by Israeli soldiers driving a Caterpillar bulldozer in 2003.
Caterpillar
The equipment company that has been accused of supplying machinery used by the Israeli military to demolish Palestinian homes.
Washington State Treasurer's Office
The state agency that decided to divest $53 million in investments from Caterpillar due to human rights concerns.
What they’re saying
“They initiated their Environmental Social Government guidelines back in 2021 and divested from fossil-fuel companies. Their portfolio hasn't included weapons companies, but we pointed out that they did hold Caterpillar bonds.”
— Rae Levine, Organizer, Jewish Voice for Peace in Seattle
“It is possible to make progress and to really reduce the money going to support these companies that are helping the war effort in these places, especially now.”
— Rae Levine, Organizer, Jewish Voice for Peace in Seattle
What’s next
The group plans to bring back the Responsible Investment Act, a bill filed in the state Legislature that provided an ethics framework for the State Investment Board's dealings, in the next legislative session.
The takeaway
This divestment decision highlights the growing influence of human rights advocates in pressuring state and local governments to align their investment policies with ethical and social justice concerns, particularly around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the use of American-made equipment in military actions.
