U.S.-Israel Business Ties: A Michigan Group's Effort to Strengthen Nationally
As US business ties to Israel come under scrutiny, a Michigan-based group aims to bolster these relationships across the nation.
A Collaborative Effort
The U.S.-Israel Innovation Exchange, with Israel's backing, has sparked both support and protests. The first-ever U.S.-Israel Innovation Exchange Summit took place in Detroit, Michigan, on October 14, 2026.
Memorial of Understanding
By the end of the conference, attendees had signed a memorandum of understanding:
"to establish a framework for cooperation, information sharing, relationship development, and coordinated activities designed to strengthen economic, innovation, investment, and commercial relationships between the United States and Israel."
Israeli Perspective
Elad Strohmayer, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, expressed the Israeli government's view:
"So many states want Israeli businesses to come to their territory, because they understand that will lead economic growth in their state. That’s the win-win that we’re trying to promote."
Background
Dozens of regional groups, some government-funded, competed to attract Israeli businesses. However, they united at the summit to promote broader American business ties with Israel, a topic that has gained political traction for scaling back support.