New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat signed a Declaration of Intent today, marking the creation of the NYC–Israel Economic Council.

This groundbreaking initiative aims to foster innovation, boost job creation, and strengthen the economic bond between New York and Israel.

“Today, our administration is proud to launch the New York City–Israel Economic Council to deepen economic ties between our governments and serve as a gateway to the U.S. market for Israeli businesses,” declared Mayor Eric Adams.

“Today’s announcement of a Declaration of Intent reflects a proud tradition of New York City mayors collaborating with Israel, and will drive innovation, create jobs, and strengthen the unbreakable bond between our two governments.”

The council will support Israeli companies aiming to establish a foothold in NYC while encouraging joint ventures across key sectors including environmental technology, artificial intelligence, and life sciences. It will also coordinate involvement in major tech and business conferences, ensuring robust bilateral participation in cutting-edge innovation.

Israeli Minister Nir Barkat praised the initiative, calling it “a tremendous honor” to partner with New York.

“The creation of this council reflects a strong vote of confidence in the vitality of Israeli innovation and in New York’s position as a gateway to global markets,” Barkat said.

“This agreement will have a very positive impact on the international exports from Israel’s market… and open opportunities in sectors such as fintech, health tech and life sciences, high tech and software, defense and public safety, environmental innovation, and agro-food tech.”

Led by the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs and Israel’s Economic Mission to the U.S., the council will meet regularly to develop collaborative strategies. It will also explore cooperation in emergency management, education, and other technology-driven fields.

“This initiative not only strengthens the deep and historic bond between New York and Israel, but it also opens the door to real economic opportunity — from cutting-edge tech partnerships to job creation right here in our five boroughs,” said Commissioner Ed Mermelstein, Mayor’s Office for International Affairs.

“Today’s announcement is a smart, strategic move that reflects this administration’s steadfast support for our Jewish brothers and sisters.”

Moshe Davis, executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, emphasized the moral dimension of the partnership: “As antisemitism rises globally, New York City is responding with substantive collaboration… This council will not only drive opportunity and growth, it will demonstrate that the world’s greatest city stands firmly with Israel and the Jewish people.”

Andrew Kimball, President and CEO of the NYC Economic Development Corporation, noted that the city’s tech ecosystem is a natural home for Israeli innovators: “As the applied AI capital of the world… we look forward to the innovation and partnership that will come from this Economic Council.”

The announcement comes on the heels of other recent actions by Mayor Adams to support the Jewish community, including the launch of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism — the first such office in any major U.S. city.

Ofir Akunis, Consul General of Israel in New York, summed up the significance of the day: “Today’s historic agreement is another example of the unbreakable bond between the State of Israel and the City of New York. Thank you, Mayor Adams, for your bold commitment to the people and the State of Israel.”