Blake Farenthold: “I would also like to highlight how important our relationship with Israel is, and how our ally in the Middle East is a…”

“I would also like to highlight how important our relationship with Israel is, and how our ally in the Middle East is a huge asset to our Nation and the world. Israel is a beacon of democracy in a sea of turbulence. It is a success story of enterprising spirit and indomitable will. I was fortunate enough to visit Israel in 2011 and saw firsthand the high level of strategic cooperation between the United States and Israel militarily, businesswise, technologywise, and socially. Almost 32 years ago, the U.S. signed its first-ever free trade agreement with Israel, leading to almost $40 billion in trade annually. Israel makes up more than 40 percent of all investment in the United States from the Middle East and north Africa, and has companies listed on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange, more than any other country other than the United States and Canada. The ``Start-up Nation'' has given the world the USB flash drive, the first PC CPU, voice over IP phone system, and just recently, Intel acquired Israeli driver-assistance company, Mobileye, to help develop better autonomous vehicles. Israel's drip irrigation technology has helped millions around the world grow crops on land that otherwise would be barren, and Israeli doctors have made medical discoveries improving the lives of millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of folks worldwide. The U.S. and Israeli militaries also maintain a high level of cooperation and support.…”