Cornhusker State News

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has concluded a four-day trade and solidarity mission to Israel, where he led a state delegation focused on strengthening economic ties and supporting Israel amid ongoing regional conflict. The trip highlighted Nebraska’s beef exports, the role of Nebraska-built defense technologies in Israeli security, and the deepening partnerships between Nebraska and Israeli institutions.

During his visit, Governor Pillen met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. In these meetings, Pillen reiterated Nebraska’s support for Israel and expressed interest in expanding business relationships between the two regions.

Nebraska is a major supplier of beef to Israel, providing more than 99% of U.S. beef exports that enter the country. Fischel Ziegelheim, owner of WR Reserve Protein Group in Hastings—a leading processor of Angus beef—was part of the delegation. WR Reserve is one of the few U.S. facilities authorized to export kosher beef to Israel and played a key role in reopening the Israeli market to American beef in 2016 after a long-standing import ban was lifted. The company operates under strict USDA and Israeli supervision with rabbinical oversight for kosher compliance and is currently expanding its Hastings facility with support from a $1 million Community Development Block Grant administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

“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.”

The delegation also visited Palmachim Air Force Base, home to key components of Israel’s missile defense systems such as Arrow, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome—systems that have recently intercepted large-scale missile attacks from Iran. Governor Pillen noted Nebraska companies’ contributions to these defense efforts: “There’s no doubt about it, the people of Nebraska play a critical role in saving lives,” said Governor Pillen. “Our own national security benefits enormously from this relationship, and it was impressive to witness it firsthand.”

Governor Pillen toured Kfar Aza—a kibbutz attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023—and visited sites impacted by violence including the Nova Music Festival massacre location. He received briefings on recent conflicts from Israeli officials who credited American leadership for achieving ceasefires and facilitating hostage releases.

While in Jerusalem, John Henderson—Vice Chairman and CEO of Omaha-based HDR—discussed opportunities for Nebraskan expertise in developing Israeli infrastructure: “There has been a tremendous amount of stress on the infrastructure in the whole of Israel. You can see that just walking around,” said Henderson. “There’s a great opportunity for us to do what we do best as engineers and architects and problem solvers, which is to help build communities. HDR is uniquely equipped to meet those challenges.” He added: “When we when we grow our book of work here in Israel, it directly benefits our team in Omaha.”

Bob Goldberg, CEO of Jewish Federation of Omaha (JFO), described how philanthropy from Omaha’s Jewish community has supported humanitarian needs in Nahariya—the federation’s sister city—and across Western Galilee since October 2023: “Through the philanthropy and support of our Jewish community members in Omaha and our fellow Nebraskans, we have helped raise money to support many causes, particularly in the last two years since the October 7th tragedy,” Goldberg said. “Our dollars have helped to provide laptops to young students displaced from their homes for months and months on end... Our dollars have helped Galilee Medical Center—the largest medical center in the north of Israel—care for residents’ regular medical needs... Our dollars also go toward programs directed to support those suffering from trauma and stress.”

Nebraska’s trade with Israel has grown over recent years; average annual exports increased from $31 million (2010–2019) to $51 million since 2020—with $54 million recorded 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.”