‘Bold agenda’: Ron DeSantis previews Israel trip

Israel 4 (Large)
DeSantis vows to be the most pro-Israel of all state governors.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday outlined what his office calls a “bold agenda” for the upcoming business development trip to Israel.

The trip starts Saturday, and DeSantis and a traveling party of at least 90 people return the following Friday.

“I promised to be the most pro-Israel Governor in America and our bold agenda for my upcoming business development mission to Israel includes many historic firsts, including strengthening Florida’s ties with Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East,” DeSantis said.

“Our delegation will secure a historic number of memorandums of understanding for a governor’s business development mission. These agreements will benefit Florida students, businesses and residents for decades to come from securing high-wage jobs, to the development of environmental technology to research and academic opportunities,” he added.

The trip includes meetings with Israeli officials, and over 15 strategic partnerships and memoranda of understanding — and that’s just the beginning.

Representatives of several Florida colleges and universities will be on the trip. As well, DeSantis will keynote the 2019 Israel-America Business Summit on Tuesday morning, part of a concerted push that includes meetings with Israeli businesses, and at least six business and economic networking receptions.

Additionally, a ceremonial meeting of the Florida Cabinet at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be the setting for the signing of legislation banning anti-Semitism in Florida schools.

And various cultural visits are also in the mix. The packed itinerary begins May 26 in Tel Aviv, with a meet and greet with the Florida Delegation.

Tel Aviv is the stage for May 27’s happenings, which include business meetings with Israeli officials and signings of memoranda of understanding. Monday’s schedule ends with a Tourism Networking Reception hosted by VISIT FLORIDA.

May 28 offers more action in Tel Aviv.

The morning will see an award ceremony with the Israeli Innovation Authority, followed by a networking lunch with business leaders and a roundtable discussion of issues impacting Florida.

May 29 sees some happenings in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The Governor will keynote the 2019 Israel-America Business Summit in the morning. The afternoon will feature a meeting of the Florida Cabinet at the American Embassy in Jerusalem, and the anti-Semitism bill signing.

“We’ll do that in Jerusalem at the embassy, and it’s going to be a special moment,” DeSantis said this week in Jacksonville.

On May 30, the Delegation will tour the Old City of Jerusalem, then a meeting is slated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

A final dinner will occur that evening, and the Florida Delegation returns Friday, May 31.

A.G. Gancarski

A.G. Gancarski has written for FloridaPolitics.com since 2014. He is based in Northeast Florida. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski


One comment

  • Ruth

    May 25, 2019 at 7:16 am

    How much will this cost And who is paying for this?

Comments are closed.


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