# Israel Development Bonds.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-development-bonds/785603>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 30, 2017, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-development-bonds/785603 "2017-04-30T21:45:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-development-bonds/785603/21 "2017-05-07T08:37:59Z")

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> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> The OP didn’t ask _whether_ he should buy Israeli bonds or any sort of bonds at all.

This for sure. My post was not a response to the OP but rather to advice given in this thread by another poster who recommended long-term tax-free bonds, citing specifically the characteristic that they can be sold at any time. Which is true, but it will come at a loss if interests rates rise (as most people expect them to in the years to come). I think it is fair to point out this counter-argument to a post that has been made by someone else.

And as for the argument that you won’t have losses if you hold until maturity: Sure. But then your money is tied up in a long-term bond, and you have opportunity costs from missing out on other (and possibly better) investment opportunities in the meantime. So of course you’re exposing yourself to interest rate risks when you buy long-term, no matter if you sell or hold.

Does the tax exemption of these bonds compensate for that? Maybe. It’s an investment decision all investors would have to make for themselves. But “You can sell at any time” is not the obvious counter-argument against the disadvantages of long-term investing that it is often presented as. I personally share your preference for equity, by the way.

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**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-development-bonds/785603/22 "2017-05-07T20:23:47Z")

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I just had an unexpected hospital stay.  
I’m insured, but all investment plans are on “Hold”.

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**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\
**Post date:** [May 8, 2017, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-development-bonds/785603/23 "2017-05-08T00:43:28Z")

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Hope it’s working out OK for you. Keep us posted on your recovery.

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