Gov. Baker, Israeli PM Netanyahu Discuss Living In Cambridge In 1970s
BOSTON (CBS) -- Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker continues his week-long trade mission with state business leaders in Israel.
On Tuesday, the governor addressed nearly 300 attendees from the Israeli tech industry at an event hosted by General Electric in Tel Aviv as part of the trade mission, praising GE on their recent move to Massachusetts.
Joined 300 from Israel's tech industry as @GE_Europe @GEResearch shared their reasoning for choosing MA. https://t.co/Z4fRR5XbVL #MAIsrael pic.twitter.com/rEsxwKcp0w
— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) December 13, 2016
"GE's decision to leave its suburban headquarters, and relocate 800 jobs to Boston's Seaport, speaks volumes about where GE's corporate future lies, and about Massachusetts' economic competitiveness," Gov. Baker said in prepared remarks.
One of the highlights of the governor's trip was a face-to-face meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The two had what was described as a productive meeting about the Commonwealth and Israel's economic futures and relationship. They also discussed the importance of these face-to-face interactions between leaders when it comes to building relationships in business and politics.
"We talked quite a bit about the long history that Massachusetts shares with Israel and then we talked specifically about the fact that he and I both lived in Cambridge - I was at Harvard and he was at MIT in the 1970s," Gov. Baker told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens Tuesday.
And they talked about how both schools created engines of opportunity in fields like cyber security, which is an area where the governor believes that Massachusetts and Israel can work together.
The governor signed a memorandum of understanding Monday with the chief scientist of Israel, updating an ongoing relationship which he hopes continues to be a win-win in the field of technology.
This agreement reaffirms the #MAIsrael relationship by renewing our commitment to work w our Israeli partners on research & biz development. pic.twitter.com/9atJfPRVvM
— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) December 13, 2016
Gov. Baker also told WBZ he's met many people with ties to Massachusetts. It has convinced him that the state could become the major player in the field of digital health, especially if they get a little help from Israel.
"If we can benefit from a deep relationship with Israel and Israeli companies and thought leaders on the cyber security piece, it will make it possible for us to go much farther and much faster," the governor said.
Baker is expected to return to Massachusetts Thursday.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports