State Representative John Adams (R-Sidney) joined with Representative Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) and other members of the Ohio General Assembly in hosting Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom at the Statehouse yesterday.

Adams and Rosenberger worked to organize the visit along with the Israel Leadership Institute, an organization based in Sderot, Israel that aims to identify, train, and equip young Israeli leaders to meet the changing needs of its society through government and community interaction.

“Although Israel is located in one of the most volatile areas of the world, Ohio has a very long-standing and important relationship with it,” Adams said. “Many businesses from Ohio work with Israel to sell products and share technology. We have a quite a bit in common with the Israeli people, and I’m extremely pleased that Vice Prime Minister Shalom was willing to make the trip here and discuss the significance of this relationship with the members of the legislature. Even as state lawmakers, it’s important that we do everything we can to promote a strong Israeli state.”

Shalom was appointed vice prime minister and minister for regional development and development of the Negev and the Galilee in March 2009, after having held numerous government and community positions previously. He holds degrees in economics and accounting from Ben-Gurion University, as well as a law degree and master’s in public policy from Tel Aviv University. He is a journalist by profession.

At the Statehouse, Shalom was accompanied by the founder and executive director of the Israel Leadership Institute, Eeki Elner.