Besides book stores, movies, and cafes, this Humvee is parked front and center in the AIPAC Village.

It is a MaxxPro vehicle produced by the Israeli company Plasan in partnership with American-owned Navistar Defense. The Israelis developed it to protect their soldiers from roadside bombs. More than 14,000 of these have been deployed to protect US troops and have resulted in tremendous reduction in US casualties.

Not only that — the MaxxPro is produced in the US. So, this Israeli innovation is creating jobs here.

Rick and Marcy Cornfeld are Co-Chairs of the St. Louis AIPAC Council and are blogging from AIPAC’s Policy Conference 2012 in Washington, D.C.