The nine-day trip to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel, will include visits to cultural sites, according to the release, as well as three days of meetings with government and business leaders meant to strengthen economic ties between Indiana and Israel.
Indiana Secretary of Commerce Victor Smith will accompany Pence for the economic development part of the trip, according to the release, as will staff members from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Costs for the state delegation to Israel will be covered by private donations to the IEDC.
“Israelis are launching new businesses at a tremendous rate, and that’s triggering economic and job growth that’s primed to expand to the United States,” Smith said in the release. “With Indiana’s strength in life sciences, technology and advanced manufacturing, our mission is to make sure that Israeli leaders know that Indiana’s business climate is innovative and always growing.”
In Israel, Pence will meet with executives at Israel Aerospace Industries and at automotive electronics manufacturer Taditel, which has operations in Anderson, Ind.
Pence has also visited the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada this year on similar international trade missions.
Pence and his family plan to celebrate Christmas in Jerusalem and tour Christian holy sites. Travel costs for Pence and First Lady Karen Pence are covered by Christians United for Israel, an American pro-Israel organization, according to the release.
“As we look ahead, deepening our ties with the people, businesses and state of Israel remains a commitment that will empower us as partners,” Pence said in the release. “My hope is that we will demonstrate firsthand our commitment to strengthening the Indiana-Israel relationship through this trip and beyond.”
Tori Fater
