Nikki Haley, the former presidential candidate, former U.S. envoy to the United Nations and former South Carolina governor, delivered remarks at an event on March 11 at Clemson University in South Carolina, marking the public school’s signing of a memorandum of understanding with Hebrew University and Sapir College.
A Clemson trustee, Haley visited Israel in May 2024 on a solidarity trip with Danny Danon, who was then in between terms as Israeli ambassador to the United Nations. On a visit to Sderot, Haley met with Alon Davidi, the mayor, and his adviser Amit Kochavi and learned that there was a need to support the devastated agricultural communities in the western Negev.
Haley connected Sapir and Hebrew University with Clemson, and the trio launched a partnership that centers on agricultural innovation and sustainability to stimulate economic growth in the Negev. Below are Haley’s remarks at the March 11 event at Clemson, lightly edited for style:
Good morning! It’s so exciting to be here with all of you. We’re bringing together two countries, two cultures and three universities—and together we’re going to do amazing things.
You know, when I was governor, I used to start my speeches by saying, “It’s a great day in South Carolina.” I was tempted to say that now, but the truth is, it doesn’t do justice to the partnership we’re launching.
It’s not just a great day in South Carolina. It’s a great day for Israel, too!
I couldn’t be more excited for what we’re doing. I say that as a proud graduate and trustee of Clemson University. This is the best school in the United States—hands down. And now we’re joining hands with two of the best schools in Israel, Sapir College and Hebrew University.
To all of you who’ve traveled from Israel to be here—thank you for coming. And thank you for this partnership, which I know will blossom into a lasting friendship!
It’s really remarkable that we can gather here.
At a lot of other colleges in the United States, it’s impossible to host a celebration like this. We all know why. From coast to coast, universities are overrun with antisemitism.
Just a few weeks ago, up in New York, a group of masked students stormed a college building. They attacked a staff member who ended up going to the hospital. And they spent hours occupying the place, which they vandalized with hateful graffiti.
You want to know what that college did? It canceled classes for everyone else. The adults who run the school let the terrorist sympathizers win.
But here at Clemson, we do things differently. And I want our guests from Israel to know that we don’t tolerate antisemitism. Welcome to the heart of America, where we always stand with Israel!
That’s the foundation of this whole partnership. And I’d actually like to let everyone know how this got started.
Last summer, I had the privilege to go to Israel. I went there to give the Jewish people my unwavering support, and the reassurance that America has their back.
As part of my trip, I traveled to the southern part of the country, so I could pay respects to the victims of Oct. 7. And I went to Sderot, which as all of you know, is just a few hundred feet from the Gaza border.
When Hamas attacked, Sderot was one of their main targets. The terrorists murdered more than 70 people there, including 50 civilians. The victims’ only offense was being Jewish, or just living in Israel.
There’s a reason Hamas attacked that city. There’s a reason it killed those innocent people. They targeted Sderot because it’s a shining beacon of Israel’s leadership—and they wanted to snuff that light out.
Think about what Sderot truly stands for. It’s in the middle of a desert—a desert that the Jewish people have turned into a garden. They’ve made it one of the most fertile and productive agricultural areas in the entire country. Thanks to their genius and hard work, Sderot and the surrounding region don’t just feed Israel. They feed people across the world. It’s an inspiration to us all.
And the terrorists can’t stand it.
They hate the idea of the Jewish people doing something good. They don’t want a garden. They want it to go back to being a desert—a place where no one can live.
But we’re here today because we refuse to let that happen. We want to see Sderot come back, stronger than ever. And we want all of Israel to become a place of peace—a place where people can get back to growing food, raising families, and giving back to our world.
And when I was in Sderot, Mayor Alon Dividi and his senior adviser, Amit Kochavi told me exactly how we can help. Amit said the biggest thing we can do is get Americans involved in rebuilding the region, especially in agriculture. And he asked if we’d connect their local college, Sapir, with Clemson.
I’m glad we had the chance to watch the video from Mayor Davidi. And Amit Kochavi is with us today. Amit, thank you for planting the seed of this great idea.
After I got home, I reached out to Clemson and asked what a partnership could look like. The team here got back to me quickly with some great ideas. And now here we are, less than a year later, at the start of something extraordinary.
Honestly, this partnership is a perfect match.
It obviously makes sense for Sapir College and Israel. They’re drawing on the expertise and research of an exceptional institution.
Clemson University was made for this. We were founded as a land grant university, with a mission of finding breakthroughs in agriculture. To this day, we’re driving big changes in the field, especially with the help of cutting-edge technology. And now we get to make a difference on the other side of the world, by helping Israel rebuild. For us, this is literally a way to better fulfill our founding mission in the 21st century.
I’d like to thank the Clemson representatives who are here today. We’re joined by provost Bob Jones, dean Matt Holt and associate dean Paula Agudelo. Thank you for bringing this project to life so fast!
Clemson University is going to give its all to this partnership. And the same is true of Sapir College.
The truth is, for all of America’s leadership, Israel has a lot to teach the United States. Your country has one of the most productive agriculture systems in the entire world.
You’re second to none. And you’re going to share a lot of your insights through this collaboration, for the benefit of farmers across South Carolina and all of America. Here at Clemson, we’re excited to learn from our peers at Sapir College. And we’re just as excited to learn from those at Hebrew University, who’ve also agreed to join this partnership.
While Sapir’s president, Nir Kedar, couldn’t be here, I’m glad we’re joined by rector Omri Herzog, dean Gilboa Freedman and Lily Mondaca, who will chair the new agrotech department that Sapir is creating.
And from Hebrew University, I’d like to recognize dean Saul Burdman, vice dean Israel Rozenboim, vice dean Yael Mishael, director Yael Helman and faculty coordinator Sivan Yagel .
To all of you, thank you for leading this exciting work!
This partnership really is a match made in heaven. Two agriculture giants are coming together. Two leaders in innovation are joining forces. Through our collaboration, we’ll do great things. And while the benefits will flow to both our countries, I’m especially excited at how it will strengthen Israel in this challenging time.
I’ve always been amazed by Israel’s contributions to the world. But when I was ambassador to the United Nations, no one ever talked about it. The only thing other countries seem to care about is Israel and the Palestinians. It’s like nothing else matters. But Israel does—and is—so much more. And Israel’s impact is clear across our entire world.
Israel is a global leader—not just in agriculture, but in technology, medicine and so much else. Israeli scientists and innovators are pushing the boundaries of human knowledge while paving the way to a new era of human flourishing. More people need to recognize that. And yes, more people need to celebrate it. Because when Israel succeeds, America succeeds, and the entire world is better off.
I’m confident this partnership will help spark that realization, in the United States and across the world. We’re sowing seeds that will sprout and bear fruit for generations to come. And while today we’re celebrating the start of this project, let’s also devote ourselves to bringing it to fruition. And let’s take comfort in the promise of the Psalms—that God will bless us with a bountiful harvest.
Thank you again to everyone who’s here, and to Clemson University, Sapir College and Hebrew University. And congratulations on the start of this beautiful partnership.