Our first meeting was with the Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert.  He was very interested in our economic plan and what the future holds for Michigan in the 21st century.  He was so pleased to hear that we would be signing a joint declaration of strategic cooperation on water technologies, with Israel later in the morning. Like me, the Prime Minister believes that Michigan has the resources and Israel has the technology to create great synergy on this important issue.   The Prime Minister is no stranger to Michigan, having visited friends in the Detroit area many times.  He's even had the chance to take in a Pistons game.

Later in the morning, we joined with Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor to sign a Joint Declaration of Strategic Cooperation, a partnership between Israel and Michigan.  This new partnership will include a working group that will focus on innovative technology to increase energy efficiency, improve water quality, and increase water reuse.  Like the joint agreement we signed with Sweden to work on biofuels, this holds great potential for new jobs in Michigan. 

This afternoon we stopped in for a visit at the Frankel School in Jerusalem.  Michigan native, Stanley Frankel operates the school. We were greeted warmly by the children who were waving Israel flags and American flags while singing traditional Jewish music. And I was honored to have a chance to tour Old Jerusalem and lay a wreath at Yad Vashem, the Jewish communities memorial to those victimized by the Holocaust. The ceremony touched us all and reminded us that we must never forget the horrifying experience of the Holocaust, lest it be repeated.

With all that is happening in the economy and as the debate over the future of the auto industry continues in Congress, our time in Israel has been a renewal of hope.   Not that long ago, this country faced similar economic challenges to what Michigan is experiencing now. They were reliant on agriculture and needed to diversify their economy. In the last decade, they have honed in on homeland security and defense and water technologies and have strengthened their economy, created thousands of new jobs and lowering their unemployment rate.  A reminder that we are on the right path in Michigan.  We must continue to work our plan, fight for the future of our auto industry and manufacturing sector and create jobs in places where Michigan has a natural advantage like alternative energy and homeland security.  And that's exactly what we're going to do …

Stay tuned for more from the Middle East tomorrow