Gov. Stitt, Texas governor meet with Israeli prime minister, visit Tel Aviv hospital

During a whirlwind trip to Israel on Thursday, Gov. Kevin Stitt and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott met with Israeli government leaders and spent time in a Tel Aviv hospital visiting victims and families impacted by the Israel-Hamas war.

On social media, Stitt posted pictures of the governors meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the first public confirmation from Stitt that he was in Israel. Accompanying the pictures was a statement: “I’m in Israel with Governor Abbott to show our support and discuss partnerships with the Jewish people as they rebuild. Prime Minister Netanyahu, Oklahomans are with you.”

Among others, the governors also met with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and President Isaac Herzog. Later in the day, Stitt and Abbott went to Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center-Ichilov to meet with victims of Hamas attacks inside Israel.

The trip, which The Oklahoman first reported Wednesday, is being coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel and the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest in Houston. Humberto Cruz, the consulate's academic affairs officer, said Wednesday that Stitt and Abbott would be in Israel for about 12 hours, then return home. Abegail Cave, a spokeswoman for Stitt, said she could not confirm Stitt's itinerary for security reasons. She did say the trip was privately funded.

Officials hoping for more economic connections between Oklahoma and Israel

Edie Roodman, the executive director of the Oklahoma Israel Exchange — also known as OKIE — expressed hope the trip would spur more economic connections between the state and Israel. Oklahoma Israel Exchange began in 1992 during former Gov. David Walters’ administration.

“We will be working with (Stitt’s) office to identify ways there can be collaborative partnerships,” Roodman said. “We’ll also be tapping into the Israeli Consulate in Houston and their economic development office to assist.”

Roodman said construction and aerospace and medical technology are potential areas of collaboration between Oklahoma and Israel.

“It’s really unlimited,” she said “We could easily find ways to tap into many different sectors in the economy in Israel. It would benefit Oklahoma and would definitely benefit Israel.

More: Oklahoma, Texas governors visit Israel for 'solidarity mission'

“Israelis are practical. They’ve got to figure out ways to keep the economy going, even in the midst of an all-out war. I believe that if we pursue opportunities, that Israelis will be eager to figure those connections out.”

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce maintained an office in Jerusalem for many years, Roodman said, before it closed due to financial issues in Oklahoma state government. She expressed hope that after Stitt returns from Israel, there might be a push to reopen the office.

Israel ranks 16^th in exports from Oklahoma and 20^th in imports, according to state Commerce Department spokeswoman Becky Samples. Those exports include aerospace and defense, technology companies and convenience stores, she said.

Adam Soltani, the executive director of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the timing of Stitt's visit to Israel has been "hurtful and offensive" to the state's Muslim community.

"He's well aware of our community and how much they contribute to the state," Soltani said. "The ... issue that should alarm every Oklahoman is that this (trip) doesn't seem like a priority when we face so many other issues in the state, such as the affordable housing crisis and homelessness, to name a few. It seems like a very odd coincidence that he would choose right now to explore economic opportunity, when they are in one of the worst conflicts between the Israeli government and the Palestinian people."

State Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said he didn't know Stitt was traveling to Israel. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell's office didn't return a message asking if he knew about Stitt's travels.

“I was unaware of the trip or any potential economic opportunities that could come out of it," Treat said. "I was able to travel to Israel a few years back and stood along the border with the Gaza Strip. I recognized some of the villages that were attacked by Hamas. My heart broke for the families I met and for their neighbors. I stand in support of Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Both Stitt and Abbott have expressed their respective support of Israel in the conflict. In early October, shortly after the initial Hamas attack, Stitt had the Oklahoma Capitol building lit in blue and white and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to show support to Israel. He also posted a Facebook video in which he said he was praying for the peace and safety of the Israeli people.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt meets with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu