Israeli President Reuven Rivlin met with Apple CEO Tim Cook on Wednesday in Jerusalem. Cook is heading an Apple delegation visiting Israel ahead of the inauguration of the computer giant’s new local office in Herzliya.

Rivlin told Cook, “Your contribution to humanity is unprecedented. Even for me as one who prefers to write with a pen and paper, it is clear to me, when I see through my staff, and my grandchildren, what a great miracle you have created.”

Cook said, “We have an enormous admiration for Israel, not just as an important ally for the U.S., but as a place to do business.”

Rivlin expressed hope that Apple’s new Herzliya office would employ people from a broad spectrum of Israeli society.

“True innovation can only result from full access to education for all, regardless of race, religion, or sex,” he said. “We would like to learn from your experience in the U.S., in bringing education and technology to periphery groups and communities.”

Cook was accompanied by Apple’s vice president of hardware technologies, Johny Srouji, an Israeli Arab from Haifa.

Published with permission.