Deputy Secretary of State Jacob J. Lew to visit Israel and the Palestinian Territories

February 18, 2010

Jerusalem, Tel Aviv:  Deputy Secretary of State Jacob J. Lew will visit Israel and the Palestinian Territories February 18 - February 21. The trip also includes stops in Jordan, Egypt, and Croatia.

During his visit to Israel, Deputy Secretary Lew will focus on topics relating to U.S.-Israel bilateral ties and areas of cooperation. He will meet with high-level government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, and Foreign Ministry Director General Yossi Gal. Deputy Secretary Lew will also use the opportunity of being in Israel to focus on the high-tech and innovation sector. Towards that end, he will meet with representatives of Israel's high-tech sector.

He will discuss with local experts the future of high-tech and green energy technologies in Israel, their potential for the region, the impact of the Israeli model of entrepreneurship and how it is translatable to other contexts. The Deputy Secretary will also visit a cutting edge electric vehicle demonstration center in Tel Aviv.

The Deputy Secretary's visit to the Palestinian Authority will focus on how U.S. assistance can best support the efforts of President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad to build the institutions of a future state, to develop the Palestinian economy and civil society institutions, and other elements integral to U.S. efforts to help achieve a two-state solution and comprehensive peace in the region.

Deputy Secretary Lew will also visit the Palestinian Medical Complex, which will provide world-class health care for the Palestinian people, tour a health clinic of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and meet with representatives from non-governmental organizations working in Gaza in order to underscore the U.S. commitment to further humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

He will also meet with representatives of the private sector to discuss increasing access to markets and attracting foreign investment.
For more information please contact the Consulate General Press Office at 02-622-6909. Or the Embassy Press Office at, 03 517 5151