Senators Tester, Perdue, Coons Introduce Legislation To Strengthen U.S.-Israel Economic Partnership

U.S. Senators Jon Tester, David Perdue (R-GA), and Chris Coons (D-DE) today introduced S. Res. 383, bipartisan legislation to recognize the economic accomplishments of the U.S.-Israel economic partnership and support new agreements for collaboration across a variety of sectors within the technology sphere.

Since the signing of the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement 30 years ago, Israel has become one of our country’s most dynamic economic collaborators in the Middle East and North Africa. Today, individual states are entering into agreements with Israel to deepen cooperation in specific areas of mutual interest, and our joint science and technology research institutions are collaborating on life-changing medical breakthroughs and clean energy technology. The economic impact of this partnership is significant and it deserves our unwavering support.

“For nearly 70 years, the U.S. and Israel have been inseparable allies, and that relationship is strengthened when our economies grow together,” said Senator Tester. “At a time when some are looking to limit our economic ties to Israel, we should keep building our relationship to tackle the world’s biggest challenges.”

“The U.S.-Israel strategic alliance helped pave the way for our nations to develop vital economic ties,” said Senator Perdue. “Israel is a hub for innovation, and together our technology sectors have created jobs and encouraged innovation across the economic spectrum. We must continue working with Prime Minister Netanyahu to explore new opportunities for collaboration to grow economic sectors, increase cybersecurity, and advance medical research.”

“I am proud to cosponsor a resolution commemorating the strong economic ties between the U.S. and Israel,” said Senator Coons. “I continue to be impressed with the innovative, entrepreneurial spirit of the Israeli people, and I look forward to working to deepen our ties in this area and many others.”

“The Israel Allies Foundation is very thankful to Senators Perdue, Tester, and Coons for their sponsorship of Senate Resolution 383,” said EJ Kimball, Executive Director of the Israel Allies Foundation. “America’s economic ties with Israel are incredibly valuable: U.S. exports to Israel sustain over 250,000 high paying American jobs, and Israel’s investment in America is larger than investment from China, India, or Russia. Yet ties can be deepened, and the Israel Allies Foundation will work with Senators Perdue, Tester, and Coons as their leadership paves the way for even more American jobs through deeper economic engagement with Israel.”

Specifically, S. Res. 383 seeks to: (1) affirm the robustness of the economic relationship; (2) recognize that science and technology innovation present new frontiers for economic cooperation; (3) encourage the Administration to expand and regularize existing forums of economic dialogue with Israel; and (4) support the exploration of new agreements, including in the fields of energy, water, agriculture, medicine, neurotechnology and cybersecurity.

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