Terrorism, Worries, and MONEY ?
I don't like to write about politics and terrorism. Mostly because there are lots of good political writers and endless Israeli-Palestinian blogs. Also, I tend to think that speaking about the situation here in Israel is not productive. Only by doing something can we really change the situation. I don't think that writing in a blog and telling people how "wrong" falls into the "doing something" category. But the terrorist attack on a Jerusalem Yeshiva last Thursday has really hit a nerve. Not just in my body but in the collective Israeli nervous system. It seemed to have hit the Tel Aviv stock exchange as well. The Tel Aviv 25 index took a drop at the morning opening on the next session (Sunday 9-Mar-08).
is the TA25 index a sign of the Israeli collective nervous system?
The same goes to a few other worried minds like the tourism operators, specially these catering to Jewish religious groups, mostly non-orthodox. The ones sending their children to instill Zionist values but not too much of it. Just like the past two intifadas, tourists abandon Israel completely when the terrorist activities escalate. Some of you are probably nodding your heads, rolling your eyes, and saying quietly:
So here I go back to the non-political, slightly capitalistic, mostly economical and daily life writing. Let's focus for just a minute on the economic, social, and daily work life in Tel Aviv. Economics do matter, specially in a country with such a fragile economy, it's own currency, no trade with adjoining countries, and high or even VITAL dependence on foreign economies. While the pain and anger of a terrorist attack spikes our adrenaline, the economic impact lasts a long time. Actually, what terrorist activities have done to Israel economically and socially could be considered a greater damage. It affects all the population with exception of a very small part at the top and the very bottom of the socio-economic scale. Socially, terrorist attacks demoralize people and spread a feeling of uncertainty. The wars and intifadas were used to blame the sharp economic cycles, ultra-inflation, a continuous brain drain, difficulty in attracting foreign investors, and a slew of other problems which plagued the Israeli economy. The problems in the past were all attributed to the 'security issue' with the Palestinians. The same was also said to be the driving force in the social split between the ultra-right Zionist and the central Israeli camps. Essentially giving the ultra-right side fuel and incentive to justify settlements and attract new members. Which makes for a social-political split and further angers the Palestinians and creates an endless cycle of blame and violence.
Back to Tel Aviv today, the feeling on the street is simply of sadness. In Tel Aviv the last few days you sense that people simply don't have life. The vitality in the talk of cafe and restaurant patrons was sucked away. The quiet is simply a sign that people don't even know what to say to each other. That small-talk and excitement about daily activity turned into serious hushed conversation. What difference does it make that you are taking a vacation next week. Or that you have a new job? That new car you bought is just what you were dreaming of, and it was cheap because the Euro is so low? You see, even "heartless-capitalist-nuts" have feelings and care. We also live with the reality of daily life, economics, and the struggle for happiness. Not the idealistic-politicized happiness, the simple daily feeling that most people deserve. One of them is the comfort of a rational and predictable economy. One that does not depend on the whims of a terrorist attack or a protest settlement somewhere in a deserted Judea hills. Maybe the practical, economic view of the world is an idealistic opposite to the political one, but I don't think this way. I tend to think more in terms of what people really need. When it comes to the economy, surprisingly it is just what the political side wants: security, predictability, and peace of mind. So you see, thinking about the economy and people's daily life is not such a: heartless-capitalistic-nutty idea!
is the TA25 index a sign of the Israeli collective nervous system? The same goes to a few other worried minds like the tourism operators, specially these catering to Jewish religious groups, mostly non-orthodox. The ones sending their children to instill Zionist values but not too much of it. Just like the past two intifadas, tourists abandon Israel completely when the terrorist activities escalate. Some of you are probably nodding your heads, rolling your eyes, and saying quietly:
'who is this heartless-capitalist-nut anyway?'
Well, good thinking, after all, are we trading a few tourist or investor dollars for the life of 8 religious-pious Torah students? Especially at one of THE most renowned educational institution in Jerusalem (a veritable Harvard of the orthodox world)? Well, yes and NO! Yes, I write about the non-political issues and stories in Tel Aviv and Israel. NO - I am certainly not blind to the pain and anger of the Israeli spirit. This attack is by far the most disturbing in a long time, maybe since the big wars of 1967 (six day war) and 1973 (Yom Kippur war). For the first time, terrorists have gone into what would be considered a sacred location. Well, now the Israeli army has the 'excuse' to go and attack Gaza and who knows what else... you see. It's easy to get distracted into the political commentary mode.So here I go back to the non-political, slightly capitalistic, mostly economical and daily life writing. Let's focus for just a minute on the economic, social, and daily work life in Tel Aviv. Economics do matter, specially in a country with such a fragile economy, it's own currency, no trade with adjoining countries, and high or even VITAL dependence on foreign economies. While the pain and anger of a terrorist attack spikes our adrenaline, the economic impact lasts a long time. Actually, what terrorist activities have done to Israel economically and socially could be considered a greater damage. It affects all the population with exception of a very small part at the top and the very bottom of the socio-economic scale. Socially, terrorist attacks demoralize people and spread a feeling of uncertainty. The wars and intifadas were used to blame the sharp economic cycles, ultra-inflation, a continuous brain drain, difficulty in attracting foreign investors, and a slew of other problems which plagued the Israeli economy. The problems in the past were all attributed to the 'security issue' with the Palestinians. The same was also said to be the driving force in the social split between the ultra-right Zionist and the central Israeli camps. Essentially giving the ultra-right side fuel and incentive to justify settlements and attract new members. Which makes for a social-political split and further angers the Palestinians and creates an endless cycle of blame and violence.
Back to Tel Aviv today, the feeling on the street is simply of sadness. In Tel Aviv the last few days you sense that people simply don't have life. The vitality in the talk of cafe and restaurant patrons was sucked away. The quiet is simply a sign that people don't even know what to say to each other. That small-talk and excitement about daily activity turned into serious hushed conversation. What difference does it make that you are taking a vacation next week. Or that you have a new job? That new car you bought is just what you were dreaming of, and it was cheap because the Euro is so low? You see, even "heartless-capitalist-nuts" have feelings and care. We also live with the reality of daily life, economics, and the struggle for happiness. Not the idealistic-politicized happiness, the simple daily feeling that most people deserve. One of them is the comfort of a rational and predictable economy. One that does not depend on the whims of a terrorist attack or a protest settlement somewhere in a deserted Judea hills. Maybe the practical, economic view of the world is an idealistic opposite to the political one, but I don't think this way. I tend to think more in terms of what people really need. When it comes to the economy, surprisingly it is just what the political side wants: security, predictability, and peace of mind. So you see, thinking about the economy and people's daily life is not such a: heartless-capitalistic-nutty idea!
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