I've been reading the Economist, off and on, for 40 years. While they often have interesting things to say on many topics, their primary interest is economics. More often than not, when their reporters file stories about places there will be a noticable emphasis on its economics.
Not when it comes to Israel, of course. While I have no doubt that they have reported on Israel's economy once or twice in the past half century, I can't offhand remember ever having noticed. When they report on Israel they talk about politics.
So it remains for others to do. Here's a nice article in Haaretz. Synopsis: While much of the world economy and world's economies are sagging groaning and creaking, Israel's is doing admirably well. The country's economic leadership has mostly got things right, and its entrepreneurs and businessmen are taking fine advantage. True, the political leadership of the country is a disaster (it's the same people, by the way), and the crushing burden of being at war for a century doesn't help - but apparently it doesn't harm much, either. Israel's GDP per capita ranking is about 20th worldwide as is.
Remove the need for that gigantic army and everything that goes with it, and we'll shoot to the top of the table within 5 years, if you ask me: move over Norway.
Next time you hear the boycott-Israel brigade enthuse about the tomatos they aren't buying, you might want gently to tell them Israelis are largly a hard-working bunch who've faced far worse adversity without blinking.
What is more unique to the Israeli/Jewish psyche is that we generally perk up and donate/buy products in the thousands of dollars to help those that are being threatened with boycott.
ReplyDeleteKibbutz Galuyot no matter how much we disagree.
"Next time you hear the boycott-Israel brigade enthuse about the tomatos they aren't buying, you might want gently to tell them Israelis are largly a hard-working bunch who've faced far worse adversity without blinking."
ReplyDeleteWhat would be the advantage of telling Jew-haters that their hatred is of no consequence? Sticks and stones etc.? I'm not saying it is necessarily better to rebuke any slur or slight, but I just don't see any advantage to sticking your tongue out. I say go about your business or kick their butts, but keep your tongues in your mouths.
If you think there is an advantage, however, I would like to hear about it.
Generally speaking, kikcking someone's butt lands you in hot water. I would like nothing more than to take a lead pipe to Jew-hater's windpipe, but that isn't realistic.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, snark is the only way.
sometimes when destiny likes me Carmel Paprika is on offer (the vegetable red, green or yellow). I assume those are Paprika from Israel -
ReplyDeleteI wonder when they are in season, maybe then I could pester all shops within reach and loudly complain why they do not have these particularly sweet and munchy and crunchy Paprikas which complement a fresh roll with cheese like nothing else.
I hope y'all get the point -
instead of trying to reform the haters lobby for the good stuff - there is often something mentioned on this blog but just in case Dr. Lozowick knows somebody at the agriculture ministry how about publishing also stuff, we the consumers can turn into a hastle for shop keepers and the e-mail in-boxes of food-store-chains.
rgds,
Silke