Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest

An early Passover celebration with an incredible gathering of community members, faith leaders, interfaith partners, and friends from all backgrounds—truly representing the beautiful and diverse face of Chicago. In times like these, coming together, sharing traditions, and strengthening our bonds is more important than ever. Thank you, American Jewish Committee (AJC) Chicago & Sarah van Loon, for hosting such a meaningful and special Seder!

Alphabet Inc.’s $32 billion acquisition of Israeli cybersecurity leader Wiz is not only the largest acquisition of an Israeli tech company ever—by far—but also one of the ten biggest tech acquisitions in history. This is a tremendous milestone for WIZ, a testament to Israel’s thriving #innovation ecosystem, and a powerful vote of confidence in Israeli technology. It reaffirms Israel’s ability to not only develop groundbreaking solutions but also provide stability, strength, and resilience in the global market. Israeli innovation continues to shape the future—come be part of the story! Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest

The key to effectively combating rising anti-Semitism—both here and in the Middle East—is de-radicalization: of Palestinian society and of the imported Middle Eastern narratives taking root in the U.S. I invite you to read my op-ed, published today in the Chicago Sun-Times. You can view it directly below. Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest

The The Economic Club of Chicago plays a pivotal role in shaping the business, civic, and political landscape of the city by convening leaders to address the critical national, and global issues that influence our society. It was an honor to participate once again in the annual Leadership Dinner and to host a distinguished group of business and civic leaders from Chicago. We had a fascinating discussion about regional development in the Middle East, U.S.-Israel relations, and the tremendous opportunities for collaboration between Chicago, Israel, and our innovation ecosystems. My sincere thanks to David Snyder, President & CEO of the Economic Club, for his leadership, and to the entire ECC team for organizing such a meaningful and impactful evening!

The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is the third-largest Holocaust museum in the world. Through innovative storytelling and groundbreaking technologies, it has become one of the leading institutions globally in Holocaust remembrance and in education against antisemitism and hate — a mission that has become even more urgent and significant in light of recent events. Last night, I was honored to participate — for the fourth time — in the annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner, alongside more than a thousand committed Chicagoans who share a deep dedication to preserving memory and fighting hate. I was truly excited to learn about the museum’s expansion plans for its iconic building in Skokie, as well as its plan to open a new branch in downtown Chicago, further expanding its reach and making its vital message accessible to even broader audiences across the region. I am grateful for the close partnership we have with the museum, and for the incomparable work of its leadership — CEO Bernard Cherkasov and his wonderful team, Chair of the Board of Directors Robert Romanoff, and Chair of the Board of Trustees Mitchell Feiger. Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest

Happy 188th birthday, Chicago! Still standing strong, still thriving, and still arguing about ketchup on hot dogs. Here’s to the city that does it all. ??????

We had an excellent panel discussion about exporting South Dakota products and services internationally. It took place at the South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development "Planting Seeds" Conference in Pierre. South Dakota Trade thanks the Governor's Office for the opportunity and our friends from Canada, Mexico, Israel and the United Kingdom for sharing their insights on exporting to their countries. https://lnkd.in/gJvnuySt #InternationalTrade #SDTrade #SouthDakotaBusiness

The Midwest region is often known as the heartland of America, with an abundance of fertile prairies, fields, and farms, and also badlands and rugged terrain. The states in this region are some of the most productive in the world in terms of agricultural output. 6 of the top 10 agriculture-producing states are located in the Midwest. Today, much of the farm work that used to be done by hand is done by machines. Israel, in turn, is a pioneer in agricultural technology. Dealing with adverse conditions like long droughts, heat waves, and flash flooding, Israelis must use their imagination to come up with novel solutions for nature's limitations. There is no wonder why Israel is known for making the "desert bloom," and is ripe with innovative agricultural and machine solutions that will be helpful to any growers, farmers, and ranchers.? John Deere, the world's largest farm equipment manufacturer with roots going back to 1837, is located right here in the Midwest. Last week, John Deere announced that they were partnering with with Drive TLV, a smart mobility innovation hub in Tel-Aviv, Israel, to accelerate technological advancements in autonomy, advanced sensing, manufacturing, cybersecurity, connectivity, electrification, and more. We are so happy to see John Deere recognize the value of partnering with Israel. This connection promises to be a tremendous boon for both sides.

Wrapping up a meaningful two-day visit to North Dakota, where Itai Biran and I visited both Fargo and Bismarck. I had the pleasure of meeting Governor Kelly Armstrong, who recently assumed office, along with the Speaker of the House and top elected officials. I thanked them for the unwavering support of North Dakotans for Israel and discussed ways to strengthen our partnership. ???????? At North Dakota State University, we had an insightful meeting with the president and his team about potential collaborations. NDSU excels in agricultural research and innovation, offering significant opportunities for cooperation in this field. A particularly special moment was meeting with members and allies of Fargo’s small but dedicated Jewish community. I deeply appreciate their efforts in serving as a meaningful bridge between North Dakota and Israel. And, of course, I was especially grateful for the relatively mild February weather that welcomed us! What a great trip. Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest

Wrapping up a meaningful two-day visit to North Dakota, where Itai Biran and I visited both Fargo and Bismarck. I had the pleasure of meeting Governor Kelly Armstrong, who recently assumed office, along with the Speaker of the House and top elected officials. I thanked them for the unwavering support of North Dakotans for Israel and discussed ways to strengthen our partnership. ???????? At North Dakota State University, we had an insightful meeting with the president and his team about potential collaborations. NDSU excels in agricultural research and innovation, offering significant opportunities for cooperation in this field. A particularly special moment was meeting with members and allies of Fargo’s small but dedicated Jewish community. I deeply appreciate their efforts in serving as a meaningful bridge between North Dakota and Israel. And, of course, I was especially grateful for the relatively mild February weather that welcomed us! What a great trip. Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest