I do not normally comment on Israeli football – a fan, yet I despair too often – yet a most unusual series events took place this week, which deserve comment here. They brought together an unlikely combination, featuring the national team from Jerusalem, the Welsh team, and the livelihoods of millions of people in that great country of Cymru, and old fashioned hatred disguised as political correctness.

Let me explain.

Initially, there was a wonderful proposal to host an exhibition in Cardiff that was to explain how the Israeli football set up encourages pluralism. This was a creative idea to foster interfaith relations in a difficult period, especially when Europe is trying to work out how to cope with millions of refugees.

Then along comes a solitary Cardiff councillor, Sue Lent, who claimed that Israel is in fact a racist state. Her efforts ensured that the exhibition was canned. Thus, the message about coming together could not be heard. If that sounds like a non sequiter, that is because that is what hatred is all about.

Yesterday, Sunday, Israel and Wales played out a boring 0-0 draw. In fact, there seemed to be more action of the pitch, as Welsh supporters of the Palestinian cause tried to make more noise than their own football fans. This clips from youtube and elsewhere tend to argue that they failed.

Arguing that a boycott of Israel will help the Palestinians is not just illogical, it is evil. That said, I am thrilled with today’s announcement from the British government, showing just how much Israeli tech and investment has boosted the economy of South Wales, having a positive impact on the lives of millions.

By allowing people to cooperate and learn from each other, then you will secure understanding that will learn to peace. By choosing to link Jerusalem with South Wales, the commercial and social benefits for both countries – for peoples of all religions – are simply enormous.

I attach the announcement in full below, as recorded in Hansard.:

Israeli companies have today announced £3million of investment in South Wales and growth plans that could lead to up to 100 jobs being created and £13million being spent with local suppliers.

The announcements are being made as a delegation of Israeli businesses visit Wales to celebrate existing Israeli-Welsh trade and investment links, and to explore new opportunities. 

The investment announcements are the result of close work between the UK Government (through UKTI Israel) and the Welsh Government. They include:

• Newport-based SPTS Technologies – a Welsh anchor company and a global leader in the semiconductor equipment market – has announced that it has exceeded U.S. $1billion in exports. SPTS Technologies, owned since August 2014 by NASDAQ-listed Israeli company Orbotech, exports over 95% of its products to a global customer base. The $1billion export sales have been achieved since 2009, when the company was founded. 
• The company was awarded £4.6m Research Development and Innovation funding by the Welsh Government last year for a three-year project to develop the next generation of products for Advanced Packaging applications and place the company at the forefront of the industry. It will create 30 full-time R&D roles in Newport and result in an anticipated additional £13m spent with local suppliers over the term of the project.
• Sapiens International Corporation, a leading global provider of software solutions for the insurance industry, anticipates another year of double-digit growth. Sapiens currently employs 240 people in the UK and is expecting to grow its Cardiff-based workforce substantially over the next 12months.
• Amiad Water Systems, a leading global producer of water treatment and filtration solutions, has announced that it has chosen Swansea as the location of its first permanent base in UK. Over the past two decades, Amiad has supplied innovative solutions throughout the UK – from the Eden Project and the energy-saving zero-carbon Kingston Heights Project to providing effective Cryptosporidium protection in multiple waterworks. Amiad will be creating 5 – 10 new jobs in the first year with potential for further expansion. Through its engineering skills and ability to innovate, Amiad provides cost-effective sustainable solutions for the industrial, municipal, irrigation, oil & gas and ballast water markets in 80 countries. 
• Lordan UK has announced a £1million investment into its South Wales facility in Hengoed which manufactures high quality custom-made fin and tube heat exchangers for the global HVAC&R market. Lordan already employs 45 people at its Welsh operation and sees potential for further growth in the UK due to the developing needs of the UK economy.

Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb said:

Our innovative technology sector is helping to harness overseas investment and create jobs in Wales.

Through the UK Government’s global trade network, international investors can see that Wales is an outward-looking nation and an attractive destination for business. Israel is a close friend of the UK and we enjoy an excellent trade relationship, built on decades of co-operation.

I want today’s announcements to be a catalyst for Wales to forge closer links with global markets and companies. This is a fantastic opportunity to show that we are open for business, open for trade, and open for investment.

Welsh Government Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:

I am delighted that Wales is proving to be such an attractive location for advanced technology companies from Israel and that we are seeing new investment as well as significant on-going reinvestment.

It is a strong endorsement that Wales provides the optimum environment for businesses to flourish and grow which is reinforced by the record number of inward investment projects from overseas companies that are choosing Wales above any other country as their location of choice.

The visit by senior executives from leading Israeli companies is most welcome as they explore new business opportunities in Wales and build on the growing links between our two countries.