Cooperation Between Israel
and the State of Louisiana

Binational foundation grants shared by Louisiana institutions:

Recipients of grants from U.S.-Israel binational foundations:

Fifth Generation Systems
LSU
Tulane
Tulane Medical School

Agreements with Israel

None.

Partners For Change

The U.S.-Israel relationship is based on the twin pillars of shared values and mutual interests. Given this commonality of interests and beliefs, it should not be surprising that support for Israel is one of the most pronounced and consistent foreign policy values of the American people.

It is more difficult to devise programs that capitalize on the two nations' shared values than their security interests; nevertheless, such programs do exist. In fact, these SHARED VALUE INITIATIVES cover a broad range of areas, including the environment, science and technology, education and health.

Today's interdependent global economy requires that trade policy be developed at the national and state level.

Many states have recognized the opportunity for realizing significant benefits by seeking to increase trade with Israel. No fewer than 23 states have cooperative agreements with Israel.

Louisiana does not yet have a formal partnership with Israel; nevertheless, in 2007, Louisiana exported more than $363 million worth of manufacturing goods to Israel. The total value since 1996 is almost $2.8 billion. In addition, Louisiana companies received approximately $12,101,852 in 2006 for U.S. government-funded military contracts with Israel through the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program (U.S. military assistance to Israel). Israel now ranks as Louisiana's 22nd leading trade partner.

Israel is certainly a place where potential business and trade partners can be found. It can also be a source, however, for innovative programs and ideas for addressing problems facing the citizens of Louisiana.

Israel, for example, has developed a number of pioneering education programs. One, the Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters, has been praised by President Clinton as “the best preschool program on earth” and replicated throughout the country, including New Orleans, Lafayette, Harvey, Bogalusa, Rayville, Baton Rouge and Shreveport.

A range of other exciting approaches to social problems like unemployment, environmental protection and drug abuse have been successfully implemented in Israel and could be imported for the benefit of Americans.

The potential for greater cooperation with Israel for the benefit of Louisiana is limited only by the imagination.

Louisiana Firms Profit From Business With Israel

As the only country with free trade agreements with both the United States and the European community, Israel can act as a bridge for international trade between the United States and Europe. Moreover, because of the deep pool of talent, particularly in high-technology areas, Israel provides excellent investment opportunities. Some of the nation's largest companies, such as IBM, Microsoft, Motorola, Intel and McDonald's have found that it is indeed profitable to do business in Israel.

More than 40 Louisiana companies have discovered the benefits of doing business in Israel, including Reilly Benton Co., Petroleum Helicopter and Pellerin Milnor Corporation.

According to the President of the Reilly Benton Co., Warren Watters, they were extremely satisfied with their business in Israel. Reilly Benton provided the marine insulation for the Israeli warship Saar-5, which was built in Mississippi. "I would love to do more business with them," said Watters, "they are good customers."

Petroleum Helicopter has also done some work for the Israeli military and the Ministry of Defense. They also did some work for the Rambo movie that was filmed in Israel.

Pellerin Milnor Corp. has an Israeli dealer for their commercial laundry equipment. Pellerin Milnor is one of the largest manufacturers of laundry equipment in the world. They have been doing business with Israel for a number of years.

Joint ventures between Israeli and Louisiana companies can obtain funding from the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD). BIRD funds projects in 33 states and the District of Columbia. The United States and Israel established BIRD in 1977 to fund joint U.S.-Israeli teams in development and subsequent commercialization of innovative, non-defense technological products. Most grant recipients are small businesses involved with software, instrumentation, communications, medical devices and semiconductors.

Since its inception, BIRD has funded more than 740 joint high-tech R&D projects through conditional grants totaling more than $210 million. Products developed from these ventures have generated sales of more than $8 billion, tax revenues of more than $200 million in the United States alone and created an estimated 20,000 American jobs. Louisiana companies have profited from almost $100,000 of BIRD grants.

In 2004, the Louisiana Department of the Treasury purchased $5 million in State of Israel bonds “to diversify investments and develop economic ties between the State of Louisiana and the State of Israel,” according to a Treasury statement from Baton Rouge. “"This is a win-win situation for Louisiana and Israel," Louisiana State Treasurer John Kennedy told Globes (October 20, 2004). “Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. It is America's only true friend in the Middle East, and it is one of our staunchest allies.”

Scientific Innovations

The Louisiana State University (LSU) and Tulane Medical are two Louisiana institutions that have shared with counterparts in Israel more than $172,000 in grants awarded by the Binational Science Foundation (BSF) in the last ten years. BSF was established in 1972 to promote research from the United States and Israel. It has awarded more than 3,000 grants, involving scientists more than 400 institutions located in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

Agriculture Benefits

The Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) was created in 1978 with equal contributions by the United States and Israel. BARD funds projects in 45 states and the District of Columbia. In 2005, 28 projects were funded at 31 U.S. institutions. Since its inception, BARD has funded nearly 760 projects that have led to new technologies in drip irrigation, pesticides, fish farming, livestock, poultry disease control and farm equipment. Louisiana institutions have shared grants worth $720,000 since 1987.

LSU scientist Raymond Schneider and his colleagues are studying how fungus evolves to become a plant pathogen. The fungus develops strains and races that overcome resistance. After 15 years of research, they can forecast how these new resistant strands will develop. Working with the Israelis has helped them progress significantly toward answering this question of development of resistant strands of fungus. Dr. Schneider states that the "BARD grant allowed us to make a great deal of progress, it was the seed of the whole program." Dr. Schneider said that he benefitted from working with Israelis because of their different strategies to attack problems of this nature. This research will be helpful in disease-resistance in tomatoes and dozens of other crop species.

Tulane biologist Milton Fingerman researched the aquaculture and growing conditions of shrimp. He looked at the reproductive cycle of shrimp and hopes to increase the reproductive cycle from once a year to twice a year by stimulating the gonads to develop. His experiments with his Israeli counterparts have led to pond-water experiments in India. The collaborative work led to a number of publications. "I enjoyed working with Israelis and can't wait to get back to Israel," said Fingerman. This research is not only applicable to shrimp growers worldwide, but also to the crayfish industry, which is one of Louisiana's bigger industries.

BARD research done outside the state also benefits Louisiana. Studies on economizing cotton plantation by computerization will be useful for Louisiana cotton growers. New methods for optimizing wheat storage developed by BARD researches will aid rice-producing states such as Louisiana.

Other Cooperative Programs

Hillel Campus Profiles

State Contacts

Jewish Federation of Central Louisiana
4307 Whitefield Blvd.
Alexandria, LA 71303
Tel. 318-487-9810

Jewish Federation Greater Baton Rouge
3354 Kleinert Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70806-6836
Tel. 504-387-9744

Jewish Federation Greater New Orleans
3747 West Esplanade Avenue
Metairie, LA 70002
Tel. 504-780-5600
Fax. 504-780-5601
Email. c/o eric stillman, eric@jewishnola.com

Jewish Federation Shreveport
2032 Line Ave
Shreveport, LA 71104-2125
Tel. 318-221-4129

Jewish Federation of Shreveport
4700 Line Ave., #117
Shreveport, LA 71106
Tel. 318-868-1200
Email. SJFED@juno.com