U.S.-Israel Business Initiative September Executive Update

The Chamber’s U.S.-Israel Business Initiative and National Security & Emergency Preparedness Department have teamed up to lead a National Security Trade Mission to Israel from November 11-14, 2012. Led by former Secretary of Homeland Security, The Hon. Tom Ridge, U.S. Chamber Senior Vice President of International Affairs, Myron Brilliant and U.S. Chamber Vice President, National Security & Emergency Preparedness Department, Ann M. Beauchesne, this mission will offer companies a unique opportunity to meet and network with senior Israeli government officials and business executives on key homeland security, cyber security, border security, and trade facilitation issues.

Homeland security encompasses a broad range of sectors and is an area of tremendous collaboration between the United States and Israel.  From sub-sectors such as border protection technologies to cyber security, the U.S. and Israel are working together both on the intelligence and commercial side in unprecedented ways.  There is also a strong “spillover effect” from Israel’s long-standing defense and security relationship with the United States into homeland security.  Israel has earned itself a global reputation as a forerunner for providing leading security and emergency preparedness solutions and continues to successfully partner with key world players to protect airports, seaports, government offices, financial institutions, international events, and beyond.

There has been a flurry of activity recently aimed at advancing U.S.-Israel partnership on homeland security and trade issues.

Last month, the United States Congress passed the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012, which recommends several ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in a range of areas including homeland security, advanced technology, energy, intelligence, and cyber security.  This legislation paves the way for additional public-private partnerships between the U.S. and Israel in related sectors.

In May, The Hon. Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security visited Israel in May for discussions on collaboration with international partners to combat terrorism, and facilitate trade and travel.  She also signed a joint statement with the Government of Israel on the implementation of the Global Entry trusted traveler program for Israeli citizens.  With the goal of enhancing U.S.-Israel collaboration in Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Israeli Ministry of Public Security (MOPS) have recently announced a list of high-priority areas related to first responders, disaster management, cyber security and explosive detection for suggested bilateral collaboration in research and development. They can be viewed here.

Earlier this summer, Israel established the National Cyber Directorate to coordinate cyber-security development for Israel’s military, security and industrial sector.  Funding is anticipated at $500M over five years with the goal of encouraging R&D in cyber security and create what one of the initiators of the Directorate called an “eco-system of cyber technology that will keep Israel as the forefront.”

These developments indicate a growing concern for the protection of critical infrastructure, supply chain security, cyber security, and emergency preparedness and response and the recognition that this is an area ripe for stronger cooperation between the U.S. and Israel.

This November, a delegation of American companies under the auspices of the Chamber will visit Israel, joining thousands of security experts and practitioners, government officials, and corporate leaders from around the world at the 2nd Annual International Homeland Security Conference in Tel Aviv, tour some of the relevant sites, and meet with senior Israeli government officials and business executives on key homeland security issues.  You can read more about this mission  by clicking here.