Israel

Signs Agreement to Increase Trade

June 15, 2008 -- JERUSALEM - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson met today with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and later signed an agreement with the Israeli government to begin a partnership that will result in more trade with New Mexico.

"I came to Israel to work together to exchange ideas, techniques and explore investment opportunities," Governor Richardson told about 30 business leaders with the American-Israeli Chamber of Commerce. Governor Richardson pointed out that New Mexico's trade with Israel has increased from 24 million to 47 million since he reopened a trade office in Jerusalem.    » read more »

June 2, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-DE) issued the following statement in response to Senator John McCain’s speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual meeting earlier today.

John McCain: Photo by Wigwam Jones (CC)

“Today, Senator McCain made clear that he would continue the policies of George Bush – policies that have made the entire Middle East more dangerous and left the United States and our allies, including Israel, less secure.    » read more »

Subsidiary of BioLineRx Opens U.S. Office in Rockville, Hires Local Business Development Executive

BALTIMORE, MD -- May 29, 2008 – As part of his economic development mission to Israel, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that BioLineRx USA, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of BioLineRx, one of Israel’s leading drug development companies, has opened a U.S. office in Maryland.

BioLineRx USA has already hired a local Vice President of Business Development to seek out potential collaborative opportunities for BioLineRx in Maryland and the U.S.    » read more »

Jerusalem / Tel Aviv (ICRC) – The Israeli authorities must take immediate measures to allow Palestinian families from Gaza to resume visits to their relatives detained in Israel, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today.

The family visits organized by the ICRC since 1967 had to be suspended on 6 June 2007 following a decision by the Israeli authorities. As a result, the parents, wives, husbands, sisters, brothers and children of more than 900 detainees have been deprived of direct contact with their detained relatives for almost one year. Detainees depend on these visits not only for psychological support but also for material assistance such as clothes and blankets.    » read more »

26 May 2008 -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has described Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip as "one of the greatest human rights crimes on Earth."

Mr. Carter was speaking Sunday at a literary festival in Wales. He told The Guardian newspaper that the Israeli blockade has led to what he calls the "imprisonment" of Gaza's 1.6 million Palestinians.

Israel and Egypt sealed their borders with Gaza after the Hamas militant group seized control of the territory last June. Israel continues to send fuel and humanitarian supplies to Gaza while blocking the regular crossing of people and goods.

Israeli leaders say the blockade is necessary to stop Gaza militants from firing rockets at Israeli towns.    » read more »

Chicago, IL -- May 14, 2008 -- "As the United States joins Israel in celebrating its 60th anniversary, today's cowardly rocket attack and tragic injuries remind us of the ongoing threats that Israelis face with courage and resolve. In the days and years to come, the United States must maintain its unshakeable commitment to supporting Israel’s right and capability to defend itself against these outrageous terrorist attacks, so that the Israeli people can live in peace and security."

Source: Barack Obama campaign

May 12, 2008 -- President George W. Bush today announced the designation of an U.S. Honorary Delegation to attend celebrations in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israel on May 14-15, 2008 in Jerusalem.

Members of the Honorary Delegation:

Dr. Miriam Adelson, Chairperson, Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research
Mr. Sheldon G. Adelson, Chairman of the Board, Las Vegas Sands Corporation
Mr. Moshe Aflalo, CEO of Aflalo Equities
Mr. Neil Z. Auerbach, Managing Partner, Hudson Clean Energy Partners
Mr. Kenneth Bialkin, Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLC
Mr. Elliott B. Broidy, Chairman and CEO of Broidy Capital Management
Mr. Matthew H. Brooks, Executive Director, Republican Jewish Coalition    » read more »

May 8, 2008 -- "Today I join with all New Yorkers to commemorate and celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut – the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

Over the past 60 years, the people of New York have shared a special bond with Israel, and now, New York is home to the largest Jewish population of any state in the nation. I am thrilled to share in Israel’s joy during this time of celebration.

New York Governor Paterson celebrates 60th anniversary of Israel's founding

Our bond with Israel is historic and cultural. The achievements of the Jewish people, in fields from business to the arts, have played a central role in making New York the capital of the world.    » read more »

Chicago, IL -- May 07, 2008 -- This week marks the 60th anniversary of the fulfillment of a dream -- the independence of the State of Israel. Throughout many centuries, Jews held fast to the hope of returning as free people to the land of their ancestors. Blessed with visionary leaders like Theodore Herzl and David Ben-Gurion, in the 20th century they began to take the practical steps necessary to build a modern state.

Against all odds, and overcoming obstacles from international indifference, to hostile opposition in the region, to the murderous crimes of the Nazis, the leaders of the Zionist movement declared the establishment of the State of Israel in May 1948. In their moment of triumph, they were immediately plunged into a war for their new nation's very survival.    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- MR. HADLEY: Good afternoon. On Tuesday, May 13th, the President and Mrs. Bush will travel to the Middle East. They will visit Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The trip will be an opportunity to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding and to demonstrate our nation's support for and commitment to the region.

The President will reaffirm his personal commitment to peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and encourage continuing efforts for a two-state solution, a democratic Israel and a democratic Palestine living side by side in peace and security.    » read more »

April 17, 2008 -- John McCain says he is against earmarks and has promised that as president he would "veto every bill with earmarks" that came across his desk. [CQ, 4/15/08]. He also claims to have "been a very strong proponent to the State of Israel." [Haaretz.com, 2/3/2008]

John McCain protester, New Hampshire: Photo by Roger H. Goun (CC)    » read more »

Business development mission pursues business leads around renewable energy and electric cars that will drive green collar jobs back home to Oregon

April 3, 2008 -- (Jerusalem, Israel) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski continued his business development mission in Israel today where he met with officials from ORMAT Technologies, Solel Solar Systems and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

Solar cell in Pummer circuit: Photo by Greg Borenstein (CC)    » read more »

April 2, 2008 -- Oregon Governor wants to further understanding of the critical factors supporting the growth of Intel manufacturing and the R&D center in Israel and look for lessons learned that might apply to Oregon.

(Kiryat Gat, Israel)-- Governor Ted Kulongoski continued his business development mission in Israel today where met with representatives from Intel’s Israeli research and development (R&D) facility.

Intel is Israel’s largest non-governmental employer, with 7,300 workers in production and R&D. By way of comparison, Intel has approximately 15,500 employees in Oregon. Intel chose Israel as the location for its first design and development center outside the US in 1974, the same year Intel acquired its first Oregon site in Aloha.    » read more »

March 06, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - U.S. Senator Barack Obama released the following statement on the Jerusalem seminary attack:

"I strongly condemn this cowardly and outrageous attack. The United States must strongly support Israel's right and capability to defend itself.

Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and with the Israeli people who defeat these terrorists every single day that they go about their daily lives."

Source: Barack Obama campaign

04 March 2008 -- The Bush administration Tuesday denied a published report that it covertly sought to oust Hamas from power after the radical group won Palestinian elections in 2006, triggering a Palestinian civil conflict a year later. The State Department says Hamas itself provoked the fighting that left it in control of Gaza.

Officials here are rejecting, in unusually strong terms, a U.S. magazine report claiming the Bush administration tried to organize the armed overthrow of Hamas, after the militant Islamic group took over the Palestinian government after 2006 elections.    » read more »