SGLF Announces Additional Details for Trade Mission to Israel Featuring Six Lieutenant Governors
Trip to Begin March 18
Washington, DC — The State Government Leadership Foundation (SGLF), the policy partner of the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), is leading a trade mission trip to Israel this week with six lieutenant governors from across the country. The trip will allow the lieutenant governors to strengthen the economic, diplomatic, and cultural ties between their respective states and Israel, America’s strongest ally in the Middle East.
During the trip, the lieutenant governors will meet with Israeli industry leaders to discuss economic development and trade, members of the Israeli Defense Forces to learn about security concerns in the region, and government officials to deepen the diplomatic relationships between Israel and their states. The schedule will also include tours of agricultural locations and defense facilities, as well as meaningful cultural and religious sites. This one-of-a-kind trade mission will provide the lieutenant governors with a greater understanding of the American-Israeli alliance and how their individual states can continue to benefit from the economic partnership the two nations share. The trip will take place from March 18 – 25, 2022. The lieutenant governors attending are:
Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez
Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch
Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg
Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley
South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette
Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson
“Trade is essential to Iowa’s economy, and maintaining strong relationships with strategic allies like Israel is helpful for our prosperity,” said Iowa Lieutenant Governor and Trade Mission Chair Adam Gregg. “Israel not only shares our values, but they are also a strong economic partner. I’m confident this trip will be a great opportunity to expand our working relationship with Israel and will create long-term benefit for Iowa farmers and businesses.”
“Israel is a global leader in innovation, a strategic ally for America, and a critical trade partner for Florida. Floridians value Israel’s role as the lone democracy in the Middle East, and our administration has stood strongly with them by actively taking steps to combat anti-Semitism and the BDS movement,” said Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “This trade mission will allow us to deepen our understanding between America and Israel as we continue to strengthen our long-standing partnership.”
“America is a stronger nation thanks to our friendship and economic cooperation with Israel. This trade mission presents a terrific opportunity to further develop relationships with industry leaders in tech, agriculture, manufacturing in the Middle East,” said Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanna Crouch. “It has been disturbing to see the recent rise in anti-Israel sentiment coming from liberal leaders in Washington, and visiting Israel will allow us to make clear that we will continue to stand with them as a political and economic ally.”
“The America-Israel relationship has created thousands of jobs domestically, brought in billions of dollars every year, and expanded where American businesses can sell their goods and services” said Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley. “But our partnership with Israel extends far beyond economics. We share an appreciation for democracy, a desire for regional stability, and a mutual interest in each other’s success. I look forward to hearing innovative ideas about how to further this partnership so we can bring jobs and business to Nebraska.”
“The enduring friendship between Israel and America serves as a model that we must study and learn to replicate,” said South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette. “This trade mission will allow me to learn from business and government leaders how we can maximize Israel’s trade and economic impact to the benefit of the citizens of the Palmetto State.”
"Utah is the proud home to a vibrant Jewish community. We are committed to promoting inclusiveness, supporting community members, and rejecting antisemitic hate and bias in all forms," said Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson. "Our state will continue to stand against bigotry wherever it exists, and support our strong ally in the Middle East. I look forward to meeting with leaders in Israel to learn how we can deepen our already effective partnership for the people of Utah."
Israel now invests close to $24 billion in the United States (nearly triple what it did a decade earlier), is home to more than 2,500 U.S. firms employing some 72,000 Israelis, and is responsible for nearly 100,000 American jobs. The trade mission will allow the delegation of lieutenant governors to foster a better understanding of the current issues facing Israel, build relationships with Israeli government and business leaders, and reinforce the strength of the US-Israel partnership. The SGLF sponsored a similar trade mission for lieutenant governors in 2016. A video containing highlights from that trip can be found HERE.
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