Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has worked to strengthen ties between Iowa and Israel in recent years, Monday ordered flags at half-staff in Iowa to honor lives lost in the attack on Israel by Hamas this weekend.
“Iowans mourn for the families of those killed by Hamas in Israel. Hamas’ brutality knows no bounds, with reports of Holocaust survivors, women, and children taken by Hamas militants from their homes as hostages or brutally murdered,” Reynolds said in a statement. “Today and every day, Iowa stands in solidarity with Israel and their right to defend themselves.”
The conflict in Israel and Gaza unfolded after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack Saturday. Israel has responded with rocket strikes in the blockaded Gaza Strip. More than 1,300 people had been killed as of Monday, including at least nine Americans.
Flags will be flown at half-staff on public buildings, and businesses and individuals were encouraged to fly flags at half-staff, until Oct. 15.
Reynolds has worked to nurture Iowa’s relationship with Israel dating to before her time as governor. In 2016, she joined a Republican Lieutenant Governors Association delegation to the country with her counterparts from Texas, Florida and other states. Then in 2017, after becoming governor, she led a trade mission to Israel to develop opportunities for Israeli companies in Iowa.
Reynolds went on another international trade mission in June that included a visit to Israel and a discussion with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a statement at the time, Reynolds’ office said she and Netanyahu discussed strengthening economic ties between the two governments.
“Israel’s vigilant pursuit of freedom and security in a hostile world powerfully demonstrates the remarkable fortitude of the Israeli people," Reynolds said in a statement then. "I believe there is great opportunity for further economic partnership in the fields of insurance and agriculture, industries in which Israel and Iowa both excel."
Reynolds signed a proclamation of support for Israel on the 75th anniversary of its establishment as an independent nation and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. She also met with Israel’s minister of foreign affairs and minister of strategic affairs, her office said.
Shortly after Reynolds’ visit, seven Israeli agriculture startups participated in a program through America’s Cultivation Corridor, sponsored by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, to prepare them for the American market.
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Reynolds and lawmakers also have strengthened Iowa’s rejection of companies that boycott Israel over its occupation of Palestinian territories. In 2022, lawmakers extended an existing law barring the state from investing in companies that boycott Israel and take part in the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement.
The original investment ban was signed in 2016 by then-Gov. Terry Branstad as several other states around the nation were enacting similar laws. The 2022 law changed the wording to also ban state investments in wholly-owned subsidiaries that boycott Israel. The legislation was seen by Democrats as targeting the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream company, a subsidiary of Unilever.
Lawmakers paired that with a bill that defined antisemitism in Iowa law and encouraged the state to consider antisemitism when investigating a discriminatory act, and Reynolds signed the bills into law.
www.thegazette.com
“Iowans mourn for the families of those killed by Hamas in Israel. Hamas’ brutality knows no bounds, with reports of Holocaust survivors, women, and children taken by Hamas militants from their homes as hostages or brutally murdered,” Reynolds said in a statement. “Today and every day, Iowa stands in solidarity with Israel and their right to defend themselves.”
The conflict in Israel and Gaza unfolded after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack Saturday. Israel has responded with rocket strikes in the blockaded Gaza Strip. More than 1,300 people had been killed as of Monday, including at least nine Americans.
Flags will be flown at half-staff on public buildings, and businesses and individuals were encouraged to fly flags at half-staff, until Oct. 15.
Reynolds has strengthened ties
Reynolds has worked to nurture Iowa’s relationship with Israel dating to before her time as governor. In 2016, she joined a Republican Lieutenant Governors Association delegation to the country with her counterparts from Texas, Florida and other states. Then in 2017, after becoming governor, she led a trade mission to Israel to develop opportunities for Israeli companies in Iowa.
Reynolds went on another international trade mission in June that included a visit to Israel and a discussion with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a statement at the time, Reynolds’ office said she and Netanyahu discussed strengthening economic ties between the two governments.
“Israel’s vigilant pursuit of freedom and security in a hostile world powerfully demonstrates the remarkable fortitude of the Israeli people," Reynolds said in a statement then. "I believe there is great opportunity for further economic partnership in the fields of insurance and agriculture, industries in which Israel and Iowa both excel."
Reynolds signed a proclamation of support for Israel on the 75th anniversary of its establishment as an independent nation and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. She also met with Israel’s minister of foreign affairs and minister of strategic affairs, her office said.
Shortly after Reynolds’ visit, seven Israeli agriculture startups participated in a program through America’s Cultivation Corridor, sponsored by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, to prepare them for the American market.
Lawmakers strengthened anti-boycott laws
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Reynolds and lawmakers also have strengthened Iowa’s rejection of companies that boycott Israel over its occupation of Palestinian territories. In 2022, lawmakers extended an existing law barring the state from investing in companies that boycott Israel and take part in the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement.
The original investment ban was signed in 2016 by then-Gov. Terry Branstad as several other states around the nation were enacting similar laws. The 2022 law changed the wording to also ban state investments in wholly-owned subsidiaries that boycott Israel. The legislation was seen by Democrats as targeting the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream company, a subsidiary of Unilever.
Lawmakers paired that with a bill that defined antisemitism in Iowa law and encouraged the state to consider antisemitism when investigating a discriminatory act, and Reynolds signed the bills into law.
Reynolds orders flag at half-staff to honor deaths in Israel
Reynolds has worked to nurture Iowa’s relationship with Israel dating to before her time as governor.
www.thegazette.com
