Courtesy of JNS. Photo credit: Courtesy
Eric Synenberg, an Ohio Democratic state representative
(JNS) — The Ohio state House voted 73-10 on Wednesday to pass a bill that would create the Ohio-Israel Trade and Innovation Partnership. A nearly identical companion state Senate bill, which calls for a $5 million “general revenue fund” for the partnership, is currently in committee.
The partnership would include a 14-member team, including members of the state House and Senate and those appointed by the governor, who would elect a chair, per the House bill.
Eric Synenberg, a Jewish Democratic state representative who is one of the bill’s primary sponsors, told JNS that the partnership will “promote business, trade, economic development” and “collaborations between universities in Ohio and Israel.”
“The goal would be that some company ends up relocating to Ohio either completely, or a company opens up their main U.S. office in Ohio, or some Israeli innovative technology, whether it’s in defense or aerospace or agriculture or medicine or technology, ends up helping Ohio companies or businesses,” he said.
In February, Robert Sprague, the Ohio treasurer, announced that the state bought a $35 million, two-year, fixed-rate Israel Bond. “We are continuing the long-standing practice of investing in Israel Bonds as a way to bolster the state’s investment portfolio,” he stated. “Israel Bonds have long served as a sound investment for the Ohio treasurer’s office, with a record of competitive rates and reliable repayments.”
The Ohio treasury currently holds $262.5 million in Israel Bonds, making the state “one of the largest government investors in these bonds in the United States,” the state said in February.
Ohio exported nearly $242 million worth of goods to Israel in 2023, according to the most recent export report from the Ohio Department of Development, which listed Israel as the state’s 26th largest export destination. From 2021 to 2023, the state exported $765 million worth of goods to the Jewish state, with a 15% reduction from 2022 to 2023, per the report.
The report added that Ohio was responsible for 1.7% of U.S. exports to Israel in 2023.
According to the United States-Israel Business Alliance, Ohio had $284 million worth of exports to Israel and $219 million worth of imports from the Jewish state in 2022.
Howie Beigelman, president and CEO of Ohio Jewish Communities, told JNS witnesses made antisemitic remarks during an Oct. 29 hearing about the bill in the state House. Those comments included “the disgusting ‘dual loyalty’ charge that those on the commission with interest in” and “knowledge of Israel would ‘put Israel’s interests’ ahead of ‘Ohio’s,’” he said.
Ohio Jewish Communities, which is the government advocacy arm of the eight Jewish Federations in the state, is “grateful the vast majority of the Ohio House overwhelmingly rejected the politics of hate and the blatant antisemitism on display in committee to focus on strengthening the state’s economy by increasing collaboration with Israel,” Beigelman said.
Synenberg told JNS that the bill has nothing to do with “supporting Israel’s foreign policy” but is “really about economic development and jobs in Ohio.”
Christine Cockley, a Democratic state representative, stated that she had decided to vote against the bill due, in part, to her opposition to Israeli policy.
“As a Jewish woman, I remain committed to advocating for the safety and security of all Jewish people everywhere. Simultaneously, I cannot support all actions taken by the Israeli government during this time,” she stated. “As with any government, I believe it’s crucial to be vocal about human rights violations, no matter where they occur.”
