State Senator Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove) recently returned from a “Study Tour” to Israel. As one of 250 nation-wide state legislators invited to the “50 States, One Israel” conference, the trip mainly focused on the nation’s economic, commercial, and security innovations that enhances partnership with the United States.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, as well as U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee addressed the legislators during the six-day conference. Visits in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and the Negev Desert also examined innovative progress in the areas of high tech, medical research and agricultural production.

“Israel is a significant trading partner with the State of Minnesota,” said Limmer.  “Building a strong friendship and trade relationship with Israel is important for us both.”

The bipartisan legislative conference schedule included visits to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and the Negev Desert. Individual sights involved tours of the Yad Vashem holocaust museum, the Western Temple Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, two of the holiest sites in Judaism and Christianity, as well as the Nova festival grounds and Kibbutz Be’eri where hundreds were killed in the October 7 Hamas attacks against the Jewish population.

“The people throughout Israel were warm, friendly, and gracious hosts for our visit. Their appreciation for the partnership between our two countries was clear. I was so impressed by the measures they take to keep people safe, not just from external threats, but through incredible, innovative medical research, and technical advancement. The visits to the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, as well as the Nova festival grounds and Kibbutz Be’eri that were attacked on October 7th, will stay with me forever,” Limmer said.

Photo: Sen. Warren Limmer (second from left) recently joined a bipartisan study tour to Israel.