Gov. Charlie Crist and Florida's delegation of business and political leaders spent their third day in Israel Thursday meeting with Israel's business and political elite. Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spent an hour meeting with Crist, U.S. Reps. Robert Wexler and Alcee Hastings, State Sen. Nan Rich, Reps. Dan Gelber and Adam Hasner, Broward County Commissioner Stacy Ritter, and Ron Krongold, a Miami businessman and long-time advocate for Israel. 
Photo: Governor Crist and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert lead their respective delegations in Jerusalem.
Olmert was the apparent target of attacks launched by opposition leader and former prime minister Benyamin Netanyahu at a meeting of the delegation on Wednesday. Gelber reports:
"Israel's form of government creates some level of controlled instability as elections occur more frequently than American's are accustomed to. (Wednesday) the delegation heard harsh criticism from former Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu. Today, we heard from the man he seemed to be most criticizing and whose job he may covet.
"Olmert was at ease and very engaging, even jokingly asking Gov. Crist if he could borrow some points from his high approval rating. The delegations also discussed some ways we could promote mutually beneficial economic programs. Crist emphasized to Olmert the importance of Israel to our state and his commitment to Israel's well-being."
Olmert and businessman Krongold also recognized Sen. Rich for legislation she spearheaded that promotes the purchase of
Israeli Bonds by cities and counties in Florida.
Photo: State Sen. Nan Rich receives a special award for her Israeli Bond legislation from Prime Minister Olmert and Miami businessman Ron Krongold, with Gov. Crist, State Rep. Dan Gelber and U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler.
Comments