Herzog & Harris launch climate change initiative

BY DAVID SAFFER

President Isaac Herzog and US Vice President Kamala Harris have launched a fiveyear $70m initiative to promote climate change resilience solutions.

The announcement came after Herzog’s address to a joint session of the US Houses of Congress. Herzog met Harris at the White House. The initiative will promote research and implementation of technological solutions to achieve food security for countries across the Middle East and Africa.

The United States and Israel are leaders in smart, hi-tech agriculture. The joint initiative strengthens existing cooperation and shared foreign policy goals to build sustainable food systems.

Harris recalled Herzog giving her a tour of the Knesset when he was opposition leader and she a US Senator.

“We talked about optimism and investment in the future of the world, and the strength of the relationship between the US and Israel,” she said. “Our commitment to Israel's security is ironclad.”

Harris spoke about touring desalination plants in Israel.

“That really is a model for the rest of the globe how we use the best of innovation in science and technology to preserve some of Earth's most natural and precious resources,” she noted.

Harris committed to investing $35m for climate resilience initiatives.

She observed: “In particular, we will focus on bringing climate smart agriculture and technology to the Middle East and to the continent of Africa. This new initiative will deploy Israeli and American technology to farmers and innovators. And the type of work that we are talking about will range from the deployment of new water efficiency technologies to African farms, to the expansion of access to mobile apps, which allow, for example, farmers to monitor crop health, and help increase food production as a result.”

Harris said that joint US-Israel investments in the Middle East would strengthen cooperation between Israel and their neighbours.

She also stated that the “highest priority” would be made to counter Iranian regime threats.

Herzog said that his speech to Congress spoke about the challenges and opportunities in Israel’s region and around the world.

He noted: “We have seen the Abraham Accords as a revolutionary breakthrough which opens the imagination and therefore calls for cooperation in many fields. Israel’s hand remains extended, and our heart open to any partner in peace, near or far. This is our deepest aspiration.”

Regarding Israel’s $35m investment with the US, Herzog commented: “I am so pleased we are harnessing a new joint initiative to address a primary challenge of our time which is the climate crisis, with its far-reaching implications for life on Earth, and of course the possibility of nations to thrive and succeed under such complicated circumstances.”

Herzog spoke about his Presidential Climate Forum nationwide initiative in Israel.

“Stakeholders including government and public servants, scientists and researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and civil society activists are finding solutions that will benefit us all, and humanity at large.

“In our region, I truly believe climate cooperation can be a major factor in realising a Renewable Middle East that supplies energy and enables nations to have food and water, and an ability to function under complicated circumstances of the global climate challenge.”

Noting Harris’ childhood memories collecting donations for the Jewish National Fund to plant trees in Israel,” Herzog said: “What a great memory. Of course, it was an act of love and hope for Israel, but it was also an act that reflected a core value, of a connection with our environment, and of the desire to harness human ingenuity to turn every challenge an opportunity. Those intentions have never been more important at this critical moment for planet Earth than now.”

Herzog met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after discussions with US

President Joe Biden.

Herzog thanked Blinken for his role in challenging the Iranian nuclear program and building a regional coalition of nations to pursue peace with Israel.

He noted: “Dealing with major challenges of humanity is where Israel can contribute dramatically.”

Blinken said: "We have a unique relationship, grounded in our commitment to Israel's security, but also in democratic values. We are deeply committed in dealing with the challenge posed by Iran, the normalisation process and expanding Israel's relations with its neighbours far and wide.

"And we are committed to finding a way toward two states for two peoples, something that we feel is essential to Israel's long-term security and its standing as a democratic Jewish state.”

Herzog also met with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington DC.

In New York, he met UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres at the United Nations, the Governor of New York Kathy Hochul, Mayor of New York City Eric Adams and members of the Jewish community.

Herzog and US Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides signed an agreement enabling Israel’s acceptance into the US Visa Waiver Program.

The deal allows US and Israeli citizens citizen to respectively enter Israel and the US without a visa.

National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi welcomed the announcement.

“This is an important milestone,” he said. “This achievement is the outcome of dedicated and intensive professional work by many Israeli and American public servants.”

World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder labelled the signing a “huge step forward”.

Lauder commended Biden, Sec Blinken and White House administration for leadership in sensitive negotiations.

He said: “This vitally important program boosts homeland security, strengthens business ties, supports people-to-people connections and promotes cross-cultural understanding.

“Jewish communities across the United States have large equities at stake and community leaders nationwide have been making their voices heard in support of Israel’s bid. Our schools, summer camps, sister city relationships and myriad other cross-cultural programs will benefit immeasurably, as will so many families with relatives in both countries.”

Lauder added that Israel’s entry into the program would boost investment in critical sectors such as cyber-security, healthcare and defense.

“Coming as it does during President Herzog’s visit to the US sends a powerful signal about the strength of the US-Israel alliance and aligns with the administration’s broader confidence-building efforts on the path toward Middle East peace and regional integration,” he noted