The Ohio state House voted 73-10 on Wednesday to pass a bill that would create the Ohio-Israel Trade and Innovation Partnership. A nearly identical companion state Senate bill, which calls for a $5 million “general revenue fund” for the partnership, is currently in committee.
The partnership would include a 14-member team, including members of the state House and Senate and those appointed by the governor, who would elect a chair, per the House bill.
Eric Synenberg, a Jewish Democratic state representative who is one of the bill’s primary sponsors, told JNS that the partnership will “promote business, trade, economic development” and “collaborations between universities in Ohio and Israel.”
“The goal would be that some company ends up relocating to Ohio either completely, or a company opens up their main U.S. office in Ohio, or some Israeli innovative technology, whether it’s in defense or aerospace or agriculture or medicine or technology, ends up helping Ohio companies or businesses,” he said.
In February, Robert Sprague, the Ohio treasurer, announced that the state bought a $35 million, two-year, fixed-rate Israel Bond. “We are continuing the long-standing practice of investing in Israel Bonds as a way to bolster the state’s investment portfolio,” he stated. “Israel Bonds have long served as a sound investment for the Ohio treasurer’s office, with a record of competitive rates and reliable repayments.”
The Ohio treasury currently holds $262.5 million in Israel Bonds, making the state “one of the largest government investors in these bonds in the United States,” the state said in February.
Ohio exported nearly $242 million worth of goods to Israel in 2023, according to the most recent export report from the Ohio Department of Development, which listed Israel as the state’s 26th largest export destination. From 2021 to 2023, the state exported $765 million worth of goods to the Jewish state, with a 15% reduction from 2022 to 2023, per the report.
The report added that Ohio was responsible for 1.7% of U.S. exports to Israel in 2023.
According to the United States-Israel Business Alliance, Ohio had $284 million worth of exports to Israel and $219 million worth of imports from the Jewish state in 2022.
‘Dual loyalty’
Howie Beigelman, president and CEO of Ohio Jewish Communities, told JNS witnesses made antisemitic remarks during an Oct. 29 hearing about the bill in the state House. Those comments included “the disgusting ‘dual loyalty’ charge that those on the commission with interest in” and “knowledge of Israel would ‘put Israel’s interests’ ahead of ‘Ohio’s,’” he said.
Ohio Jewish Communities, which is the government advocacy arm of the eight Jewish Federations in the state, is “grateful the vast majority of the Ohio House overwhelmingly rejected the politics of hate and the blatant antisemitism on display in committee to focus on strengthening the state’s economy by increasing collaboration with Israel,” Beigelman said.
Synenberg told JNS that the bill has nothing to do with “supporting Israel’s foreign policy” but is “really about economic development and jobs in Ohio.”
Christine Cockley, a Democratic state representative, stated that she had decided to vote against the bill due, in part, to her opposition to Israeli policy.
“As a Jewish woman, I remain committed to advocating for the safety and security of all Jewish people everywhere. Simultaneously, I cannot support all actions taken by the Israeli government during this time,” she stated. “As with any government, I believe it’s crucial to be vocal about human rights violations, no matter where they occur.”
The Jewish representative said that the bill is about “prioritizing foreign political interests.”
“At a time when so many of us are struggling to make ends meet, it is more important than ever that we keep Ohio’s resources and taxpayer dollars focused on the needs of our own communities,” she stated.
Beigelman told JNS that Cockley “was an original cosponsor of this bipartisan legislation and remained on the bill throughout the legislative process, until yesterday, after the floor vote.”
The bill currently has 40 cosponsors. “With a 73 to 10 vote on the floor and a 9 to 2 vote in committee, this legislation could not send a stronger, clearer and more bipartisan signal that Ohio and Israel are both open for business, together,” he said.
Innovation
Beigelman told JNS that “both Ohio and Israel are leaders in agriculture, aerospace, cyber, defense tech, life sciences, logistics, semiconductors, smart manufacturing, space technologies and unmanned systems.”
“Both are looking to use innovation to build a stronger economy,” he said. “From research and development partnerships to business collaboration, this bill helps make that a reality.”
Beigelman added that “a who’s who of Ohio business groups, economic development organizations and interfaith leaders” supported the bill.
Thomas Hall, a Republican Ohio state representative who was one of the bill’s primary sponsors, stated that its passage in the state house was “a historic day for Ohio and its ongoing partnership with Israel.”
“In 2023, I was able to visit Israel on a state delegation visit. During the visit, I met with many different industries, including start-ups and emerging technology,” he said. “This partnership seeks to bring these businesses to Ohio.”
“I am tired of other states continually landing these businesses when they decide to grow and expand,” he said. “Ohio will now be able to compete.”
Hall added that he is looking forward to the state and the Jewish state working together not only on technology but also on agriculture and water supply. “Both are areas that are considerably important to Ohio families,” he said.
Synenberg, the Jewish state representative, told JNS that Ohio passed a similar bill between Ohio and Ireland last year and that Hall had the same type of bill in mind for Israel.
“We would have liked for it to have been funded, because that always helps,” he told JNS. “It is not funded, though. However, it will still be formed. It will still be meeting and filing annual reports.”
