Gov. Ron DeSantis continued his historic visit to Israel on Tuesday meeting with several Israeli companies and signing more Memorandum of Understandings (MOU’s) designed to make Florida more attractive to high-tech Israeli companies. The MOU’s are also intended to affirm Florida’s commitment to developing innovation partnerships with Israeli firms

DeSantis, joined by members of the Florida Cabinet, toured the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation where the MOU’s were signed.  The Peres Center aims to develop and implement programs intended to  promote Israeli innovation and prosperity.

The Governor, the Cabinet and Space Florida President & CEO Frank DiBello also met with Israel Innovation Authority CEO Aharon Aharon. One of the MOU’s signed by DeSantis was with the authority.

Other MOU’s signed by the governor included one between Florida Atlantic University and the Agricultural Research Institute, Volcani Center, and another between the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Israeli National Emergency Management Authority.

They were the latest MOU’s signed by DeSantis on his trip to Israel. On Monday he joined Florida Atlantic University (FAU), the University of North Florida (UNF), Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) and Miami Dade College as they signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Haifa.

“The partnerships being established here today reflect our shared belief that research and teaching go hand in hand,” said  DeSantis. “I cannot think of a better way to partner than for these Florida institutions to harmonize their efforts with the remarkable work being done at the University of Haifa.”

Florida Atlantic University and the University of Haifa will collaborate on research focusing on the fields of marine science and engineering, invasive species and harmful blooms and other opportunities.

The University of North Florida and the University of Haifa will focus on an academic collaboration including cooperation in education and research.

Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and the University of Haifa’s Student Abroad Agreement will formalize and expand academic cooperation between the universities

Miami Dade College and the University of Haifa will seek ways to engage in exchange of scholars, joint research projects, joint teaching and supervision of students.

A MOU was also signed on Monday to support the research, development and implementation of projects to increase bilateral tourism between Florida and Israel.

Also Tuesday, DeSantis met with three Israeli businesses   organizations. He met with officials from Stemrad, which specializes in protective equipment for radiation. He also met with SpacePharma, a leading Israeli satellite agency, and with Nano Dimension, an electronic manufacturing company

Nearly 100 Florida government, academic and business leaders are part of an entourage led by DeSantis that traveled to Israel this week to forge new working partnerships between Florida and Israeli businesses and  organizations. DeSantis has been a staunch supporter of Israel, making it an issue during last year’s campaign for governor and announcing shortly after taking office his plans to visit Israel.