ATLANTA – State Representative Mitchell Kaye (R-Marietta), along with a bipartisan group of Georgia state legislators in the Georgia-Israel Legislative Caucus, recently began an international trip to the State of Israel with the goal of deepening the Georgia-Israel relationship. Rep. Kaye and 16 others arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday, August 15, 2022.
“This trip is about strengthening the deep bonds of friendship and shared values between Georgia and Israel,” said Rep. Kaye. “I am already encouraged by the warm welcome we received upon arriving in Tel Aviv, and I look forward to expanding our understanding of this incredible nation over the next several days.”
The group of legislators began their trip in Tel Aviv with a dinner meeting and briefing by Ruth Lande, a present member of the Knesset, the legislative body of Israel. These legislators also met with Major General (ret.) Alon Levavi to learn more about the Georgia Israel Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) program from the Israeli perspective and visited Israel’s Iron Dome missile shield. The delegation also met with Bahrain’s first ambassador to Israel, visited with high-ranking officials at the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs and learned about above-ground farming techniques in the Hevel Habesor region of the northern Negev. They will continue to participate in activities with business, political, military, law enforcement and diplomatic components. The Israel Consulate to the Southeast Georgia, Department of Economic Development and the GILEE program helped arrange special venues, speakers and meetings.
“We are excited to see this bicameral and bipartisan delegation of Georgia legislators visiting Israel, which is a reflection of the close ties between the state of Georgia and Israel,” said Anat Sultan-Dadon, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States. “With a program including a wide variety of tours, meetings and engagements, we hope that the participants will learn even more about Israel and its politics, security, society, culture, economy and tech scene. There are many opportunities for Georgia and Israel to further partner and collaborate, and this visit will enhance our relations. These opportunities will only grow as Delta Airlines will offer direct flights from Atlanta to Tel Aviv as of March 2023. We hope that this Georgia legislative delegation will be successful in every way and be the first of many similar delegations in the future.”
Rep. Kaye is joined on this trip by State Representatives Debra Bazemore (D-South Fulton), Micah Gravley (R-Douglasville), Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City), Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain), Barry Fleming (R-Harlem), Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) and State Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta). The legislators’ families, Mr. Brent Cox and other dignitaries are also in attendance.
Additionally, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently issued a commendation to recognize the legislative trip to Israel. In his commendation, Gov. Kemp highlighted the economic and cultural benefits shared by the Georgia-Israel relationship. According to the commendation, Georgia exported more than $280 million worth of goods to Israel and imported $652 million worth of goods from Israel in 2021 alone. Gov. Kemp also commended the launch of the Georgia-Israel Legislative Caucus, the expansion of direct flights between Atlanta and Tel Aviv starting next year and the GILEE program with Israel.
*Editor’s Note: The following items are attached:
- Gov. Kemp’s recent commendation for the Georgia-Israel relationship, a photo of the delegation with Bahraini Ambassador al-Jalahmal;
- A photo of Reps. Gravley and Bazemore presenting Knesset Member Ruth Lande with Gov. Kemp’s commendation;
- A photo of the delegation with Asaf Segev, Director U.S. Consulates Department, North America Division, at the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- A photo of the delegation members during a farm tour in the Hevel Habesor region of the northern Negev;
- A photo the delegation with Major General (ret.) Alon Levavi after learning about the GILEE program.
Representative Mitchell Kaye represents the citizens of District 45, which includes portions of Cobb and Fulton counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and serves on the Public Safety & Homeland Security, State Planning & Community Affairs and Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight committees.
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