Leading an over 90-person strong trade mission to Israel, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis planted a sapling at the KKL-JNF VIP planting center in Yad Kennedy. He called Florida the most “pro-Israel state” in the US. The mission achieved the signing of many academic and business agreements with Israel.
On May 29, 2019, Florida Governor
Ron DeSantis planted a sapling at the KKL-JNF VIP planting center in
Yad Kennedy in the Jerusalem Hills. This was his first international trip since taking office in January.
DeSantis led an over 90-person strong trade delegation on a six-day visit to Israel. The visit included meetings with Israeli business and academic leaders as well as government officials.
The Florida delegation included DeSantis’ cabinet members Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, and Agriculture Commissioner
Nikki Fried, as well as Floridian academic, business and religious representatives.
DeSantis and his delegation were met at the KKL-JNF site by
Danny Saguy of KKL-JNF Ceremonies and Events;
Yair Lotstein, KKL-JNF Vice Chairman;
Ronnie Vinnikov, KKL-JNF Global Resource Development Director;
Karine Bolton-Laor, KKL-JNF Director of International Relations;
Moshe Perl of KKL-JNF Global Resources Development;
Marc Goldman of
JNF USA; and
Sam Grundwerg, United Israel Appeal World Chairman.
“It is a great honor and a pleasure to have you here,” said Saguy. He explained that the Yad Kennedy Memorial, which looks over the Jerusalem Peace Forest (where the planting center is located), is shaped like a tree stump, with 51 columns around it, symbolizing the 50 US states plus the US capital Washington D.C.
“It is very special for me to be able to be here,” said DeSantis said. “We already have good ties with Israel and we are now strengthening them. We are looking forward to more collaboration and connections. Whoever didn’t know that Florida is the most pro-Israel state in the US knows it now.”
DeSantis said that the fact that the KKL-JNF Yad Kennedy Memorial honors assassinated American president John F. Kennedy is a demonstration of the
strong ties between the two countries.
KKL-JNF Vice Chairman Yair Lotstein welcomed the governor, calling him a “true friend of the State of Israel.”
“We at KKL-JNF are thrilled and honored to have you with us at this ceremony,” said Lotstein. “Your proven track record as a staunch supporter of Israel, in Congress and now as governor of Florida, including this particularly significant mission, is both heartwarming and very meaningful to all Israelis.”
Lotstein explained that since its
founding in 1901, KKL-JNF has remained very relevant to Israel, adapting itself to the changing needs of the country. KKL-JNF projects include forests, water
reservoirs, parks and
recreation areas, and
cycling and walking paths, which are open to all residents and visitors of Israel. He noted also that KKL-JNF is also a leading global authority on
afforestation.
“Governor, you are about to plant a tree here in the Kennedy Peace Forest,” Lotstein continued. “This tree will grow and thrive in these Jerusalem foothills. It will be a green, growing reminder of the deep-rooted connection between you and the State of Israel, and between you and the People of Israel.”
Together with his entourage, the governor made his way to the planting area, where he recited the Planter’s Prayer in English, followed by
Lior Haiat, Consul General in Florida, who recited the prayer in Hebrew. The governor then proceeded to plant the sapling and give it its first watering.
When he was done, DeSantis was presented with a framed KKL-JNF certificate commemorating the occasion.
During their visit, the Florida delegation members met with their Israeli counterparts to discuss topics ranging from maintaining a stable water supply to preparing emergency responses to terrorism. They held meetings at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation and signed numerous academic agreements between Floridian and Israeli universities. They also signed a number of business agreements, such as a Memorandum of Agreement between Space Florida and the Israel Space Agency to collaborate on several projects including the launching of microsatellites.
DeSantis noted that while he was in Jerusalem, back home his cabinet signed into law a “tough” anti-Semitism bill that had been passed by the Florida Legislature, forbidding anti-Semitism in public schools and universities.
“We want Florida to be a landing place for Israeli industry,” said DeSantis. “This has been a very successful trip.”