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Cooperation Between Israel
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| Exports to Israel in 2007: | $6,456,278 |
| Percentage change from 2006: | -3.44 |
| Israel's rank as trade partner: | 29 |
| Total exports since 1996: | $55,387,545 |
| Military Contracts with Israel in 2006 using Foreign Military Financing: | $53,000 |
| Jewish Population in 2001: | 5,500 |
| Jewish Percentage of Total Population: | 0.9 |
Binational foundation grants shared by Vermont institutions:
| BARD (1987-2005): | $798,200 |
| BSF (1987-2005): | $0 |
| BIRD (1980-2005): | $0 |
Recipients of grants from U.S.-Israel binational foundations:
University of Vermont
US Forestry Reserve
Agreements with Israel
Then-representative Chuck Ross toured Israel in 1991 and was struck by the similarities in agribusiness between Vermont and Israel and helped stimulate the creation of the Vermont Israel Agricultural Exchange (VIAE). The Exchange promotes agricultural research and cooperation in such areas as the treatment of Mastitis (a cattle disease), genetic engineering, aquaculture, integrated pest management and sustainable agriculture. The State allocates approximately $10,000 for VIAE, which is run out of the Department of Agriculture.
Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell joined eight other attorneys general for a trip to Israel on July 14-22, 1999. The participants in the mission went to explore U.S.-Israel cooperation in legal affairs and discussed issues including youth violence, the death penalty, and extradition laws.
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.
Vermont does not yet have a formal partnership with Israel; nevertheless, in 2007 Vermont exported over $6.4 million worth of manufacturing goods to Israel. The total value of exports since 1996 is over $55 million. In addition, Vermont companies received $53,000 in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) as US military aid to Israel in 2006. Israel now ranks as Vermont's 29th 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 Vermont.
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.
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 Vermont is limited only by the imagination.
Scientific Innovations
Agriculture Benefits
Other Cooperative Programs
Hillel Campus Profiles
State Contacts
Patricia Barr
Chair
VIAE Steering Committee
Barr, Sternberg & Moss, P.C.
507 Main St.
Bennington, VT 05201
