Israeli consul general addresses state House of Representatives
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Israeli consul general addresses state House of Representatives

By Andy Gotlieb June 23, 2016, 4:09 pm 0 Edit
Israeli consul general addresses state House of Representatives Photo courtesy of Consulate General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region
Israeli consul general addresses state House of Representatives Photo courtesy of Consulate General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region

Israeli Consul General Yaron Sideman spoke on the floor of the state House of Representatives on June 15, thanking the commonwealth for building a strong partnership with Israel.

“During these past few years, I have had an extraordinary opportunity to contribute, however humbly, to fostering the strong relationship between the State of Israel and the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” he said. “I can think of no better partners in developing innovative technologies that transform the world than Israel and Pennsylvania, and I can think of few business ecosystems that fit so well together than those of Israel and this commonwealth.

“Last year, when Israel’s Defense Ministry arranged a visit of 12 leading Israeli homeland security companies to the U.S., I insisted that they come to Pennsylvania. It was, quite frankly, an easy sell. Working with our partners in the commonwealth, we arranged meetings with over 40 Pennsylvania companies, and many promising partnerships emerged. As a result of that successful mission, a follow-up homeland security business delegation from Israel returned to Pennsylvania last month.”

Despite ongoing efforts to save the Consulate General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region headquartered in Philadelphia, the office is slated to close on Aug. 15.

During his visit to Harrisburg, where he met with Jewish members of the General Assembly, Sideman also addressed the Orlando, Fla., nightclub attack and terrorism in general.

“Let me be clear — in the battle between those who sanctify life and those who glorify death — we will win and they are destined to lose,” Sideman said. “I am certain we will win when I see the outpour of compassion and solidarity of the thousands who lined up to donate blood on Sunday in Orlando. I am certain we will win when I witness the unity displayed as cities across the United States and around the world, including in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, held vigils in memory of the victims.”

Andy Gotlieb writes for the Jewish Exponent, where this article first appeared.

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