Israel’s new far-right government will get rid of the country’s most precious commodity: human capital. Illustration: iStock
As a Jew and citizen who truly loves both America and Israel, I am aware of the reality that if Israel’s new government acts on its word, it will destroy the very foundation upon which Israel was founded as a democratic and humanitarian society. facing.
Israel’s main asset is its human capital. Its world-leading and innovative industrial base has been built over decades, fueled by an excellent education system and immigration. Immigrants from the former Soviet Union and elsewhere brought knowledge and expertise. Basic sciences, medicine, biology, engineering, mathematics, agriculture, and many other fields flourished. These tendencies have been fueled by the relationships, discipline, and technical training conferred by military service.
We know this from experience. We have been CEOs of leading Israeli listed companies in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors and have decades of experience raising capital in Israel. Together, we have advocated for biotechnology and the need to grow a viable biopharmaceutical industry in Israel. It is deeply disturbing to see the development of the ’emerging world’ endangered by the far-right extremism of the new Israeli government.
Israel’s prosperity has been built on the contributions of different segments of the population, including men, women, Arab citizens (almost a quarter of the population), and especially the LGBTQ community. Arab countries and Iran. All are part of a vibrant, knowledge-based and democratic society and economy. Israel sets an example not only for the Middle East, but also for the world.
But if the new government’s statements are to be believed, Israel has been criticized by those who say it does not believe in the concept of fact-based science per se, or in equal opportunities regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual affiliation. It will be governed by preferences, or even allowing women and men to study together. It is worth noting that this faction has influence within the government bent on allocating a share of GDP to the ultra-Orthodox community. The ultra-Orthodox community, for the most part, does not pay taxes or participate in civic life or military service. employment or secular education.
To enact that change, the government is also swiftly pushing a proposal to allow the Knesset to overturn decisions of the Supreme Court by a single vote. This unleashes the checks and balances that have sustained Israel since its founding and, more broadly, are essential to democracy. These actions are aimed at preventing independent prosecution of politicians and paving the way for a de facto undemocratic theocracy.
Suppressing freedom of thought and expression and deprived of its basic freedoms, Israel would undermine its key advantages of innovation and social cohesion. That young man is no longer a highly educated and motivated warrior, immersed in technology and rational thinking, inventing breakthrough technologies, building internationally acclaimed businesses, and performing exceptionally well. It doesn’t mean that you can defeat an enemy that has been attacked. They instead become bullies and braggarts who can only suppress their ill-equipped opponents.
Many of the most talented join the growing Israeli diaspora—lost to the country. In 2017 it increased to 4.5. This “brain drain” Shoresh Socieconomic Institute Reportwill accelerate as more and more educational and high-tech jobs move out of Israel.
The healthcare industry will see the decline of the education system that fostered Israel’s first-class healthcare and medicine.according to 2020 Report from Ministry of Health, nearly half of Israel’s medical license holders are Arabs. Many are considered world leaders in medicine, and many more are pharmacists and nurses. Current education proposals and laws to curtail the rights of Israeli Arabs ensure that these vital resources are increasingly disenfranchised and many leave the country.
On the business front, the problem is acute. The proposed new separatist and discriminatory laws would put Israel on a course of direct conflict with mainstream business in America and Europe. It would be difficult or impossible for a reputable international company to invest in, partner with or do business with an Israeli company that complies with these laws.These foreign companies are governed by their own country’s social and legal obligations ban them Avoid working with people whose laws permit segregation, who discriminate against women, or who seek to harm the LGBTQ and other minority communities.
These dynamics also affect Israel’s own companies. Such companies include Pfizer, Moderna, Novartis, J&J, AstraZeneca, Apple, Google and many others. They believe that although Israel has a small market for their products, it has great opportunities for innovation.They acted in response to the laws enacted by the new government and over time Seek innovation elsewhereIn a foreshadowing of how this will affect Israel’s ‘startup nation’, just this week Israeli tech startup Papaya Global announced a valuation of $3.7 billion. move all money out of israelbecause we are not confident that we can do international business under the current regime.
In terms of security, companies have been pragmatic. U.S. corporations see conflicts with Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas as part of a justifiable fight against terrorism, but the massive West Bank fires ignited by a bill restricting the rights of Palestinians have Few companies will see it as a worthwhile endeavor. Instead, they will think it is what it is: a war with the Palestinians waged by Jewish religious zealots. The statements and actions of the current Israeli ministers reinforce that impression. In the event of such a firestorm, international corporations will step in and vote.recent events in west bank When Jerusalem emphasize this concern. Hamas recognizes that it can provoke retaliation by provoking the current government. Supporters of the new national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gwir, are already calling for a major intervention in the West Bank.
Diaspora Jews are already alienating themselves from modern Israel. Their image of an ’emerging nation’ with a democratic, secular and vibrant society emerging from the ashes of the Holocaust has already collapsed as the implications of the proposed legislation become fully apparent. is on the rise. If this disconnection continues, there will be severe economic and political consequences for both countries. American voters and their governments do not need an Israel riddled with racial conflicts and dominated by theocracy and misogyny.
Israel converted corner offers only two options. One is to reject Israel’s current path in favor of valuing the country’s core assets: its human capital, its democratic roots, its driving force of innovation, and its independent judiciary. The other leads to parochial theocracies similar to those seen in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan.
The choice is in Netanyahu’s hands, if he sticks to his current course, in the hands of the people of Israel.
To contact the author, email [email protected]
