< Previous www.TerryLowry.com February 20188Texas and Israel:Strategic and Economic Alliance Guest Editorial byTexas Land Commissioner George P. BushAmerica has no better ally and no truer friend inthe world than Israel. I was reminded of this first-hand when leading a Texasdelegation to Israel. We met with Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu, a strong advocate for freedomand security. Netanyahu stressed the importance ofAmerica’s continuing resolve in fighting terrorism. ThePrime Minister confronts asymmetric threats every day. Israel Needs StrongAmerican LeadershipNetanyahu stressed how Israel, the region and thewhole world needs strong American leadership. Sadly,the Obama administration was the opposite with hisnuclear deal with Iran advancing the day when a statesponsor of terror becomes a nuclear power.Israel deserves the support of our country. Israeldeserves the support of our state. Perhaps the reasonTexans identify with Israel is because we have similarstories. Prime Minister Netanyahu compared the Battleof the Alamo to the Siege of Masada in 73 AD whenJewish rebels were heavily outnumbered by theRomans, and many paid the ultimate price.Texas must remain committed to the State of Israel.Open For BusinessFrom technology to oil and gas, Texas and Israel cando more business by strengthening our economic part-nership. One area is technology. Texas is home to theSilicon Prairie. In many ways, Israel is the SiliconValley of the Middle East. We discussed the Israelistartup culture. Two companies generated from thatspirit that have already changed the way we drive in the21st Century — Mobileye and Waze.From Saltwaterto Oil and GasWe also met with IDE Technologies — the companybehind the world’s largest desalination facility. IDE isexamining a similar program in Texas to help cities,communities and industrial partners meet their waterneeds. IDE has been so successful in its home countrythat Israel has gone from a net importer of water to a netexporter of this valuable resource in just twenty years. And now Israel is exploring offshore reserves of natu-ral gas in partnership with a Houston-based companyNoble Energy, potentially bringing Israel to energyindependence in less than a generation. Texans andIsraelis can work together exploring and developing rel-evant infrastructure to deliver product to the market-place. Do More Businesswith IsraelThe most important thing we can do for Israel is domore business with Israel. I am committed to fosteringa climate of trade, investment, and sharing of best prac-tices. What I saw in Israel was a great spirit of entrepre-neurship and innovation, like that found in Texas. Texasis the perfect partner for Israeli businesses.Common Values – CommonIdeals – Common EnemiesAbove all, I want to do everything I can to bringTexans and Israelis closer together. We share commonvalues, common ideals and, yes, common enemies.Together, we can expand freedom, strengthen freemarkets, and continue to fight back against terrorism.The people of Israel have been tested for quite sometime, however, their challenges have only created astronger Israel. I saw this, first hand, in the eyes of theIsraeli people.They are not afraid to stand for freedom. And we mustnever be afraid to stand with them.George P. Bush is the 27th Texas Land Commissioner.Next >