Written by: Aaron Katsman | January 4, 2009
Who says that war is bad for the stock market? Israeli investors are pushing up the Tel-Aviv 25 more than 2% today, as traders view the war with Hamas favorably. With last night’s expansion of the war to include thousands of ground troops, tanks and artillery, one would have thought that the TA-25 would have reacted negatively. Clearly market participants believe that Israel will succeed with a swift and total victory, and the renewed security for southern Israel will be a boon for the local economy.
If heaven forbid, Israel were to get bogged down in an urban war, and suffer casualties, I am not sure that the market momentum would continue, but let’s all pray that Israel, is able to destroy the enemy without taking many casualties.
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Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.
Written by: Aaron Katsman | December 10, 2008
While the northern part of Israel is perhaps the most aesthetically beautiful part of the country, the region has long been neglected by policy makers. We have often heard about the need to develop the Negev in the southern part of Israel, but we never hear about government plans to make the north a more viable place to live, and encourage relocation to some of those cities.
Why? Because governments aren’t the best at planning and that’s an understatement. Leave it to the private sector and it’s amazing how things get done. Yesterday, news that the Aliyah organization Nefesh B’Nefesh along with the support of the Russell Berrie Foundation of Teaneck, NJ, is launching the ‘Go North’ project, to encourage Anglo Olim (new immigrants) to settle in Northern Israel, is a huge step in the right direction.
“Building on Nefesh B’Nefesh’s ongoing success in bringing Western Jews on Aliyah, this initiative will generate momentum by creating a strong support system serving as a catalyst for expansion of the Jewish communities in the North for years to come,” said Angelica Berrie, President of the Russell Berrie Foundation. “Go North will enable modern day pioneers to fulfill their dreams by moving to a region of Israel that is less Westernized and needs the skills, talents and energy they will bring. We see strengthening the North as a vital strategic priority,” she continued.
This is truly amazing. I can’t tell you how many people I know say that they would love to move to the North but can’t because they can’t find a job, or some of the social services they need are lacking. Aside from building up the North, this project will help disperse the concentrated Israeli population away from the center of the country. This in itself has all kinds of benefits, from better air pollution, less traffic, and just flat out giving people more space.
Kudos to Nefesh B’Nefesh on launching this important project.
