Cooperation Between Israel
and the State of West Virginia

Binational foundation grants shared by West Virginia institutions:

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

USDA Appalachian Fruit Research Station
West Virginia University

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.

West Virginia does not yet have a formal partnership with Israel; nevertheless, in 2007, West Virginia exported about $10.5 million worth of manufacturing goods to Israel. The total value of exports since 1996 exceeds $108 million. West Virginia companies received $35,910 in 2004 for Foreign Military Financing (FMF) as US aid to Israel. Israel now ranks as West Virginia's 32nd 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 West Virginia.

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 West Virginia is limited only by the imagination.

West Virginia 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.

Nearly $600,000 in profit has been accrued from business deals and cooperative projects between five West Virginia companies and Israel.

One of the companies, Union Carbide, has benefitted greatly from working with Israel. Working with Israel has been beneficial both financially and ecologically. Union Carbide has four types of projects dealing with chemical materials, engineering, petrochemical projects and treatment of waste materials. The Israeli company, Clearon, for example, purchased bleach materials that are a waste product for Union Carbide. Clearon uses the bleach to get rid of pond odors. This waste recycling process benefits both companies and the environment.

Joint ventures between Israeli and West Virginia companies can obtain funding from the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD). 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. BIRD funds projects in 33 states and the District of Columbia. 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. So far, no West Virginia companies have taken advantage of the opportunities provided from BIRD grants.

Scientific Innovations

Agriculture Benefits

The Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD) was created in 1978 with equal contributions by the United States and Israel. 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. BARD funds 45 states and the District of Columbia. In 2005, 28 projects were funded at 31 U.S. institutions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Appalachian Fruit Research Center in West Virginia has shared grants worth more than $1.7 million since 1987. The USDA Fruit Research Center has received BARD grants for more than 12 years.

"BARD provided a tremendous opportunity to help solve important agricultural problems through unique collaborations between American and Israeli scientists that benefit both countries," according to Michael Wisneski, a researcher at the USDA Appalachian Fruit Research Center.

Wisneski and his Israeli counterparts have discovered yeast that can protect fruits from rotting that can replace chemical fungicides. The yeast provides almost complete protection against rotting. Nearly $2 billion worth of U.S. crops are lost every year due to post-harvest damage.

The yeast product discovered by Wisneski and his Israeli counterparts has been patented and sold; it is one of the first biological products of its kind. This collaborative research has opened up a new field of research, says Wisneski, "the ability to use biological control in a post-harvest environment." He adds, "It has been a truly cooperative project, expertise was used on both sides. BARD funding was responsible for this success story."

BARD research done outside the state also benefits West Virginia. For example, state apple growers can benefit from BARD's projects to preserve the fruit's crispness longer.

It is difficult to break down the impact on a state-by-state basis, but, overall, BARD-sponsored research has generated sales of more than $500 million, tax revenues of more than $100 million and created more than 5,000 American jobs.

Other Cooperative Programs

Hillel Campus Profiles

State Contacts

Federated Jewish Charities of Charleston
P.O. Box 1613
Charleston, WV 25326
Tel. 304-345-2320.