America-Israel Friendship League Celebrates and Honors Israel as a "Start-Up Nation" in Many Fields of Human Endeavor

America-Israel Friendship League Celebrates and Honors Israel as a "Start-Up Nation" in Many Fields of Human Endeavor

At the America-Israel Friendship League annual Partners for Democracy Awards Dinner, held at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan on November 29, the theme was "Celebrating Israel as a Start-Up Nation." While the evenings awardees-Dan Senor and Saul Singer, co-authors of the international best-seller "Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle," and Idan Ofer and Shai Agassi, of Better Place, an Israeli-based venture-backed company working to produce a transportation infrastructure that supports electric vehicles-are all involved in the Jewish state as a financial, high-tech, innovation powerhouse, the AIFL used the theme to showcase Israel for its achievements in scientific, human rights, social services, and cultural and artistic endeavors.

Among the high points of the evening was the presentation by AIFL's chairman, Kenneth J. Bialkin, and president, Harley Lippman, of a proclamation acknowledging Israel's efforts in all these areas.

The proclamation, addressed to Israeli President Shimon Peres and President Benjamin Netanyahu, began by recognizing that the AIFL dinner was being held on the 64th anniversary of the UN vote to support the partition of the British Palestine Mandate into two states, one Jewish and the other Arab.

The proclamation was accepted by Ambassador Ido Aharoni, Israel's Consul General in New York, who told the AIFL supporters that the success of Israel's high-tech sector as well as all the other areas of endeavor is "the result of the Israeli spirit which made it possible."

"It's in our DNA to ask questions and to refuse to accept political or any artificial limitations. This is a new narrative for Israel, a success story of modernity, creativity, and innovation that is an inspiration to the world," said Mr. Aharoni.

Another high spot of the evening was a panel coordinated by AIFL supporter Jonathan Medved, a co-founder and CEO of Vringo, a leading provider of software platforms for mobile social and video applications. While Mr. Medved formulated questions designed specifically for each of the panel's members-former Israeli UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman, who serves as AIFL Israel's chairman of the board; author Dan Senor; and former NYC Mayor Ed Koch-the focus of the discussion was an effort to determine why, despite all Israel's efforts and tremendous achievements for its own citizens as well as the world, the Jewish state is still menaced at the UN and by much of the world with threats of boycotts and divestment.

Messrs Gillerman and Koch maintained that most anti-Israel sentiments are little more than antisemitism dressed up in a more acceptable, politically correct package.

"Israel is the Jew among the nations," said Mr. Gillerman, "It is the canary in the coal mine. Iran, for example, is not an Israeli problem, but, rather, a danger to the civilized world as we know it."

Mr. Koch agreed, but, he said, too often, "our greatest problem is other Jews" who attack Israel unfairly and single the Jewish state out for criticism never mentioned against other nations whose offenses in human rights make any infractions by Israel pale by comparison.

While Mr. Senor did not argue with the sentiments expressed by his fellow panelists, the questions addressed to him by Mr. Medved focused on Israel as an economic success story.

"Stop talking about Israel as a 'conflict,' and start seeing it as a country whose successes are changing the world," said Mr. Senor.

Asked if he thought the Israeli economic and high-tech boom might be nothing more than "perfect storm" which could end, Mr. Senor pointed to the vast areas of Asia, Africa, and even the Middle East which, he said, "have no inhibitions about doing business with Israel."

"Israel's success story is one that is just beginning," he said.

Statistics cited by Mr. Medved supported that conclusion. Israel has the third largest number of companies traded on the stock market. Only the United States and China have more. Last year, Israel boasted 600 new start-up companies which succeeded in attracting venture venture capital. "In the entire continent of Europe, from Moscow and Oslo to the boot of Italy," there were only 700 such start-ups," said Mr. Medved.

"But Europe has 700 million people; Israel only 7 million," he added.

For more information on the AIFL, its dinner, or the guests, Mr. Kenneth Bialkin can be contacted at 212-735-2130.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROCLAMATION

November 29, 2011

Honorable Shimon Peres

The President

State of Israel   

Honorable Benjamin Netanyahu

Prime Minister

State of Israel

Dear Mr. President and Prime Minister:

Sixty-four years ago tonight, the United Nations voted to support the partition of the British Palestine Mandate into a Jewish state and an Arab state.  The Arabs rejected partition and vowed to destroy any Jewish state which emerged; the Jews accepted partition, and the rest is history.

The State of Israel has survived incessant Arab and Palestinian efforts to eradicate it through continuous violence and political activity.  Indeed, Israel has not only survived, but has flourished.  It has provided a haven for the remnants of European Jewry, orphans and survivors of the Holocaust, Jews expelled from Arab countries, immigrants and exiles from Ethiopia, the former Soviet Union, and almost 100 other countries. It has forged the only bastion of freedom, liberal democracy and human rights in the Middle East, and it has done so in the ancient homeland of the Jewish people.

The America-Israel Friendship League tonight celebrates, thanks, and honors the State of Israel for what it has accomplished in those 64 years.  We celebrate Israel as a Start-up Nation which has led the world, against all barriers, as a light among nations and has shown what a free people, committed to freedom and participatory democracy can accomplish to improve the human condition.

Israel is a nation of vibrant cities, impressive infrastructure, great universities, and state-of-the-art medical facilities.  Its scientists are renowned in their fields, ranging from the cutting edge of high technology to agriculture and from biomedicine to archeology and astronomy.  Its visual artists, writers, actors, musicians, symphony orchestras, opera companies, and theatrical troupes have been celebrated and respected in the international community.

It has shown willingness - eagerness - to share its hard-won expertise, proficiency, and overall know-how with the rest of the world.  In times of crisis, be it flood, famine, storm, earthquake or tsunami, Israel is usually among - if not the - first to arrive with assistance, bringing physicians, nurses, technicians, and search-and-rescue teams to establish field hospitals and do whatever is necessary to alleviate suffering.  The Jewish state's rescue teams have saved thousands of lives around the world.

The AIFL truly believes that Americans, and all informed and fair-minded people, share our respect and appreciation for what Israel and its citizens have accomplished. We will continue our support of Israel's efforts to make the world a better place. We congratulate you.

With deep respect,

Kenneth J. Bialkin, Chairman

Harley Lippman, President