From left to right: Virginia Savietto, Palm Beach County School Board Member-Elect; Yvette Drucker, Deputy Mayor, Boca Raton; Brad Levine, Trustee of FAU; U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson of R-SC 2nd District; FAU President Stacy Volnick; Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter; Brandey Edelson, representative, Congressman Jared Moskowitz, David Silvers, Florida State Representative of District 89 (Photo by Alex Dolce)

The Florida Israel Institute at Florida Atlantic University recently hosted U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) to speak about the U.S.-Israel Future of Warfare Act and the activities of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he serves as chair of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia Subcommittee. His presentation was during an event that highlighted FAU’s deep ties to the Jewish community and Israel.

The U.S.-Israel Future of Warfare Act, which Wilson authored, directs the U.S. secretary of defense to establish a fund to boost defense collaboration between the U.S. and Israel using emerging artificial intelligence and cyber warfare technologies. He is also the senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

“I was grateful for the opportunity to address the bright and engaging students at the Florida-Israel Institute about how Congress is working to address the common and evolving threats America and Israel face,” said Wilson. “It is critical that we collaborate and develop joint defense technologies to ensure we are on the cutting edge of research and development. In order to further this objective, I am grateful to have introduced this bipartisan legislation, now law, by establishing this fund which will benefit both countries.”

The Florida-Israel Institute is one of 11 institutes across Florida created by the Florida legislature, and it is administered jointly by FAU and Broward College. The institutes assist in the development of stronger economic, cultural, educational and social ties between the state’s postsecondary institutions and foreign countries.

“We were honored to host Congressman Wilson, and I see this as a continuation of Florida Atlantic’s substantial ties to the Jewish community as we cultivate connections through academic programs, University initiatives and meaningful partnerships,” said FAU President Stacy Volnick. “In addition to our many academic ties to Israel, I take pride in seeing our Jewish students engaged in every aspect of campus life.”

FAU will soon be home to the Kurt & Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building, which will serve as an epicenter for Jewish education and advocacy against anti-Semitism for both FAU students and the public. Additionally, the Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach recently donated $2.6 million to help expand FAU’s Hillel space on campus and enhance student experiences through the Levine Weinberger Center for Jewish Life. In 2019, FAU also expanded its bridge-building with Israel when several university representatives joined Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on a historic Business Development Mission to Israel, where they signed five MOUs with Israeli universities.

The event was open to the public. Guests included FAU senior leaders, including Volnick and Brad M. Levine of FAU’s Board of Trustees. Also in attendance were state and local elected officials and federal delegation representatives and community leaders.

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