Nebraska Governor wraps up trade mission to Israel

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Gov. Jim Pillen concluded a four-day trade and solidarity mission to Israel on Thursday.

The state’s delegation promoted Nebraska’s beef exports to Israel, encouraged Nebraska-built defense technologies, initiated strategic partnerships between Nebraska and Israeli institutions and spoke with a number of companies already doing business in Nebraska.

During the mission, Gov. Pillen spoke with senior members of the Israeli government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. The governor’s team also met with Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel.

In recent years, the Nebraska’s trade with Israel has increased. From 2010 to 2019, the value of Nebraska’s exports to Israel averaged $31 million per year. Since 2020, the state’s annual exports to Israel have averaged $51 million, reaching $54 million in 2024.

“The existing trade relationship between Nebraska and Israel is tremendous, but it was also enormously impactful to bear witness to the alliance between our two countries and the gratitude the people of Israel have for America’s support for their frontline fight against violent Islamist extremism,” said Gov. Pillen. “America and Israel are in the same fight, and I was honored to see the fruits of our friendship.”

According to the governor’s office, Nebraska supplies more than 99% of U.S. beef exports to Israel that Israel imports. Fischel Ziegelheim, owner of WR Reserve Protein Group in Hastings, was a member of the state’s trade delegation. WR Reserve is a leading processor of Angus beef, and its plant in Hastings is one of the only U.S. facilities authorized to export kosher beef to Israel.

“When we met with Ambassador Mike Huckabee, he was impressed about Nebraska being the number one cattle producer in the United States,” said Gov. Pillen. “We’re excited that the WR Reserve plant is doubling in size and getting commitments from producers to meet kosher standards. It’s been great to have the Ziegelheims with us for the whole trip to make sure more Nebraska beef comes to Israel.”

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