New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine is on a trade mission to Israel.
Corzine, who arrived in Israel Sunday night, held meetings with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres, as well as Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli finance officials and businessmen.
Corzine also fielded questions about U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, whom he has endorsed. Obama is visiting Israel and the Palestinian Authority on Wednesday.
“I don’t think that’s there an expectation that Senator Obama would be anything other than supportive of Israel’s right to exist and to respond and protect itself, and to provide for its security and to promote peace in the region,” Corzine told reporters, according to The Associated Press.
Israel ranks as New Jersey’s ninth largest trading partner, up from 22nd two years ago.
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