Middle East Politics / Peace process

see globotrends page on: Middle East, and read the excellent summary -- From the economist:   "the hundred years' war" between Arabs and Jews for Palestine—and try to explain how growing rejectionism, the rise of religion, a new military doctrine and a new cold war in the region have kept peace at bay. It is a story of repeated mistakes by both sides, but one which we think is worth telling if only so both sides and their supporters can learn from it—and divide the contested land in the fair, peaceful way that most people on both sides still crave. 

Israel

With roughly the population of Houston, Texas, Israel is just not large enough to withstand extended isolation. ^[1]

The modern nation of Israel was created in 1948 as the result of a Post-World War II effort to create a Jewish state in Palestine. Israel's highly skilled workforce and technology-infused economy have since helped it become the region's most developed country. The service sector accounts for the largest portion of GDP, aided by Tel Aviv's world-renowned diamond cutting and polishing industry. The Israeli government has successfully managed fiscal policy and attracted foreign investment to create a solid base of economic growth for years to come. Extremely low inflation, a booming technology sector, and top-notch commercial infrastructure help make Israel one of the world's most promising emerging markets.

Learn more about Israel on globalEDGE Country Insights.

Palestinians

"The Palestinians have long argued that they are the victims of Israel, an invention of British and American imperialism. Since 1967, they have focused not so much on the existence of the state of Israel (at least in messages geared toward the West) as on the oppression of Palestinians in the occupied territories. Since the split between Hamas and Fatah and the Gaza War, the focus has been on the plight of the citizens of Gaza, who have been portrayed as the dispossessed victims of Israeli violence."^[2]

Troubled areas:

West Bank & Gaza.  Here are some "Facts about the West Bank economy" from Reuters:

* There are 2.5 million Palestinians living in the West Bank and 1.5 million in Gaza. Gaza is sealed off by an Israeli blockade against the Islamist group Hamas, which seized control of the strip in 2007 and refuses to recognize Israel.

read more here:  http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE57Q2NT20090827

creating an Israeli "silicon Valley

Top Israeli web companies to tour Silicon Valley — Fifteen interesting Israeli companies will be touring Silicon Valley, February 4-7. They’re being sponsored by the California Israel Chamber of Commerce and were chosen from among 90 applicants. VC Cafe has more information about the companies here.

"Tel Aviv for the first time and meeting some local mobile companies ahead of Mobile World Congress. What I found was an incredible entrepreneurial environment. Just four hours away from London, in Europe, Tel Aviv is almost like have Silicon Valley in your doorstep."  ^[3]

Technology

"In the next five years, we'll make a number of significant investments in Israel"

Having staked his claim to fame with a number of successful investments that won him a place on the prestigious Midas List, Brent Ahrens, general partner at international venture capital fund, Canaan Partners, tells "Globes" where he is headed next. Gali Weinreb 12 Jul 07 14:22 "I think that what is special about Israel is the contacts that people usually make while in the army. There's a kind of feeling that you know how to build loyal relationships that really can be relied on, and that you'll do anything not to let each other down. In the US we have more ego, we're more 'every man to himself.' It's harder to build a society when people don't trust one another fully." These complimentary statements come from Brent Ahrens, general partner at international venture capital fund Canaan Partners, and formerly a senior executive at Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon Endo-Surgery, and who was included in the "Forbes" 2006 Midas List, a venture capital listing which ranks the best dealmakers in high-tech and life sciences. Ahrens was in Israel last month to attend the ILSI Biomed 2007 conference, eighteen months after Canaan opened its Israel office, which is managed by former Business Layers CEO Izhar Shay.

More news

Israel's Winemaking Revolution

BusinessWeek, by Stacy Perman (January 16, 2008)

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jan2008/sb20080116_186026.htm

Israeli wines have traditionally been disregarded by sophisticated wine drinkers, but the success of the Golan Heights Winery is quickly changing perceptions. By making use of high-technology practices that produce top-quality vintages, the Golan Heights Winery has refocused the entire industry to play to Israel's competitive advantages. Now demand exceeds supply, and the consumers around the world are discovering the latest player in the high-end wine market.

Israel is Embracing the Electric Car on a Wide Scale

International Herald Tribune, by Steven Erlanger (January 21, 2008)

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/21/business/cars.php?page=1

A new deal between the Israeli government and a joint-venture has the potential to change the way the world thinks about electric cars. The deal will allow for tax incentives to make the electric cars cheaper to purchase than a normal car, and requires users pay a monthly fee for mileage. It is expected that the total cost of owning and operating one of these vehicles will be significantly cheaper than a traditional gasoline powered car. If successful, the experiment could help Israel move towards energy independence and create an opportunity for the electric car to drive into the larger world market.

Israel Links

Israel: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor

http://www.tamas.gov.il/NR/exeres/B0B48981-357D-446F-AFAC-91A358E93C87.htm

The official Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor site is designed to help internal and foreign companies in their efforts to start doing business in Israel. It provides business statistics, extensive overview and detailed industry sector analyses as well as taxes and laws information. Site is available in Arabic, Hebrew and English.

Category: Research: Government Resources

Country: Israel

Israel: Globes

http://globes-online.com/

Globes Online is the English version of Israeli business daily "Globes." The online paper contains extensive business and economic news and features on Israel and the Middle East. In-depth stock market coverage and a technology guide are provided and the Quickfind feature is helpful for those interested in news on a sector or specific topic. Site is also available in Hebrew.

Category: News & Periodicals: Regional News

Country: Israel