In December, in response to a growing perception that a US war on
Iraq might have a negative effect on the American economy, the value
of the United States dollar, on international currency markets,
weakened noticeably. Suggestions are voiced that we may already be in
the shadow of an American war against Iraq, whose consequences may
threaten the very underpinnings of global economies. Functioning in
that framework, it is little surprise that Israel's economy is only
slightly moving forward. Economic statistics clearly indicate that
Israelis are consuming less, yet are succeeding in exporting a bit
more.
Having lived through tense periods before, I am aware that prior to
these events, the average Israeli assumes a fatalistic stance. In the
past few months, more than a few non-believers have transferred a
part of their savings out of the country. They say that they don't
believe that they will ever have any cause to use these funds, but
then, why not, "it pays to be sure".
35 years ago there was insufficient foreign currency to go around
within the country, not to speak of sending it outside to perceived
safe-havens. At the time, Treasury permits were needed to cover
foreign currency transfers . People thought differently in those
days. The fatalism of the day that gripped Israelis in May 1967 led
to the digging of graves as Israelis feared that they would be
massacred by their enemies.
Nowadays, instead of digging graves, shelters are being refurbished,
gas masks, first popular during Desert Storm a decade ago, are back
in vogue. No one believes that Israel will escape from becoming a
casualty in a war in which, instead of logic, acts of desperation may
be the rule of the day.
We try to encourage each other, and promote the idea, that a Middle
East war, will rewrite the political map, and that our neighbors
will change the way they manage their countries. Dictatorships will
be replaced by Democracy and the benefits of Capitalism will shine on
the countenance of the big losers.
We are firmly convinced that our homegrown Arrow Anti-Ballistic
missiles will be put to the test. But have no choice but to live
with our leaders' commitments to accept the White House demands of a
zero offensive response.
On balance we are upset, because we have toiled, over the years, with
great effort and considerable success, to build a country where
economic opportunity exists. A country where
the younger generation can finish army service and go onto building
technological companies, creating products that the world wants to
use and is ready to pay for. And in the process making a better life
for themselves.
In this issue alone, we can read how a unique software improves the
quality of the life for the deaf. How security scanners help in
locating suspicious metals in the soles of shoes, and how an
anti-missile system with electronic sensors, detects the launching of
heat-seeking missiles. We also learn that Gil Shwed, the 35 year
old founder and leader of the Israeli data security company Check
Point Software Technologies (NASDAQ:CHKP), has been named one of the
100 young leaders selected for the World Economic Forum's Global
Leaders for Tomorrow Program 2003.
Notwithstanding, the sometimes justifiable self-criticism about
economic inequality, less than pure politics and our inability to
come to terms with neighbors who essentially would like to wipe us of
the face of the earth, rather than make peace and live side by side,
Israelis have a lot to lose and little to gain. That is what really
bothers us all. With the exception of the geopolitical turmoil this
country in less than six decades, has become a veritable 'Garden of
Eden'. That is what we would don't want to jeopardize.