Gov. Eric Holcomb is in Israel Tuesday and Wednesday, visiting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders.

The trip comes amid recent violence that left hundreds of Palestinians and a dozen Israelis dead and is unexpected – it was only announced Tuesday, after Holcomb had already left for Israel. The governor’s office said Holcomb was invited by Netanyahu.

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It’s not a typical trade mission – those are generally handled by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. And the visit is unconnected to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s current trip to help preserve a ceasefire in Gaza.

In a statement, Holcomb said he stands in support of Israel and looks to forge “an even stronger Israel-Indiana bond.”

The trip is being paid for by private dollars through Imagine Indiana, a non-profit that previously helped with the governor’s inauguration.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.