By COLlive reporter
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrapped up a high profile visit to the holy land of Israel on a high note, despite some criticism back in his home state.
DeSantis came to Israel with 100 civic and business leaders from the Sunshine State for a five-day working visit.
A major part of the trip was signing memorandums of understanding with Israeli companies and universities, Daytona Beach News Journal reported.
“We are doing a lot of business deals, which is important, but we’re also looking at education ties. That can be the seeds of important ideas,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis also visited the Kotel, Yad Vashem museum and the Ariel University where he received an honorary degree.
During a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister praised DeSantis for “standing up when Airbnb enacted their discriminatory policy and was able to turn that tide.”
He was referring to the online home rental giant delisting Israeli properties in Judea and Samaria. Airbnb has since reversed its decision.
During his time in Congress, DeSantis worked to get the U.S. Embassy moved to Jerusalem and to recognize it as the capital of Israel, which President Donald Trump historically did.
As he was concluding the trip, the governor participated in a private dinner organized for him by Jana and Simon Falic, CEO of Duty Free Americas, who have homes in Florida and Israel.
Simon Falic presented him with a leather-bound book of Shmuel, noting that the prophet’s yartzeit was on Sunday, the 28th of Iyar and that he was buried not far from there.
Rabbi Schneur Oirechman, Director of Chabad Lubavitch of the Panhandle in Tallahassee, presented him with a Hebrew-English Tanach. He presented a siddur to Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried, who is Jewish.
Rabbi Oirechman praised the governor for his support of Israel and the Jewish people and his commitment to battle anti-Semitism.
Looked like such a beautiful event.