Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu Visits the Bay Area

Members of the pro-Israel community gathered in front of the Mountain View Computer History Museum today in support of a strong friendship between Israel and America. Inside the museum, California Governor Jerry Brown met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and together they signed a historic  agreement that expands California's partnership with Israel. The agreement will boost economic, cultural and academic cooperation between California and Israel with an emphasis on water conservation, alternative energy, cyber-security, biotechnology, and agricultural technology. Attending the event were local tech entrepreneurs and innovators - there are over 150 Israeli start-ups based in Silicon Valley

Demonstrators on all sides of the issue began arriving at  7:00 am with signs, flags and banners.  “Career” activists including a Wallach sister, Paul Larudee, Henry Norr, Rusty and Sparrow carried Palestinian flags and signs with the typical anti-Israel slurs. The outnumbered supporters of Israel carried Israeli flags.

Security was tight at the museum. A red helicopter circled overhead, and men in dark suits walked back and forth. Demonstrators on both sides were relocated several times by police and secret service personnel.

What really mattered however, was what went on inside the Hahn auditorium.

"There's a lot we can do, there's a lot we can learn, a lot we can share,"  Governor Brown said. "Israel is dynamic. California is dynamic." 

From Yahoo News:

During a meeting at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, the two emphasized their joint interests in cybersecurity, energy sources and water conservation, and suggested Israel -- an arid country with a growing population -- might be able to help California cope with its ongoing drought.

"California doesn't need to have a water problem,'' Netanyahu said. "Israel has no water problems because we are the number one recyclers of waste water, we stop water leaks, we use drip irrigation and desalination.''

Brown said he would welcome their ideas.

"Israel has demonstrated how efficient a country can be, and there is a great opportunity for collaboration,'' Brown said.

Netanyahu's whirlwind tour will include a visit to Stanford University and to  Apple Inc  He is also meeting with WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum, a Jewish Ukrainian immigrant who recently sold his company to Facebook  for $19 billion.

The innovation and creative energy of the Bay Area is mirrored by the innovation and creative energy of Israel. Opportunities abound for all.

Photos of the historic meeting can be found at the SF Chronicle website