A senior US Embassy delegation in Israel, led by Acting Economic Counselor Wendy Nassmacher, visited the Upper Galilee yesterday for an intensive program focused on strengthening US-Israel economic cooperation, supporting the region’s recovery and long-term growth, and exploring new opportunities in industry, healthcare, innovation, tourism, agriculture, and regional development.
The visit brought the American delegation together with regional leadership, academic and research institutions, major manufacturers and initiatives supported by American partners.
Asaf Langleben, Head of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, welcomed the delegation and presented the challenges and opportunities facing northern Israel. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the region following the war through employment, investment, infrastructure and expanded international economic partnerships.
Langleben also introduced the delegation to representatives of some of the Upper Galilee’s leading manufacturers and exporters, including companies with significant commercial relationships with the United States. The discussions highlighted the region’s sophisticated industrial base and opportunities to deepen trade, investment and technological cooperation between northern Israel and the United States.
Among the companies and industries presented were Plasan, the Kibbutz Sasa-based defense and vehicle-protection company with longstanding involvement in major US defense programs; SPO (Smart Precision Optics) at Kibbutz Shamir; and regional manufacturers including Elcam Medical. Discussions addressed exports, workforce needs, investment, business continuity, and opportunities for expanded cooperation with the US market.
The delegation also visited the Galilee Culinary Institute (GCI), a major JNF-USA initiative designed to establish the Upper Galilee as an international center for culinary education, food innovation and entrepreneurship. GCI brings together culinary excellence, agriculture, tourism and economic development, while creating new opportunities to attract students, entrepreneurs, visitors and investment from the United States and around the world.
The visit highlighted the contribution of JNF-USA, which has invested approximately $2 billion in projects in Israel over the past 10 years, with significant investments directed toward strengthening communities and economic development in northern Israel.
Through its long-term commitment to the Galilee, JNF-USA has supported initiatives in healthcare, tourism, education, economic development, community resilience, and regional growth, with the objective of helping create the conditions for more Israelis to build their futures in the North.
The Embassy noted that a particularly important initiative discussed during the visit is the development of a world-class medical and emergency center in Kiryat Shmona, a joint effort of JNF-USA and Jentezen Franklin Media Ministries. The initiative is intended to significantly strengthen access to high-quality medical and emergency services for residents of Kiryat Shmona and the surrounding Upper Galilee and to provide essential healthcare infrastructure for the region’s future growth.
The delegation’s program also included exposure to the Upper Galilee’s growing academic, scientific, and innovation ecosystem, including Tel-Hai and MIGAL Galilee Research Institute, as well as discussions concerning tourism, agriculture, food technology, and regional economic development.
According to the Embassy, the visit underscored a central message: "The Upper Galilee is not only rebuilding. It is positioning itself for a new period of growth based on its people, advanced industries, research institutions, agriculture, tourism assets, and deep relationship with the United States."
Regional leaders expressed appreciation to the US Embassy delegation for coming to the Upper Galilee, meeting directly with local leaders and businesses, and examining practical opportunities to strengthen American-Israeli cooperation.
The parties agreed on the importance of continuing the dialogue and identifying concrete opportunities for expanded US investment, trade, tourism and institutional partnerships that can contribute to the economic recovery and long-term prosperity of northern Israel.