Welcome to Israel

Full name:
State of Israel

Population of Israel:
7,590,758

According to the Bible, Israel is

the name given by God to Jacob.
 Israel’s Flag

The star is known as the Shield of David- a symbol of the

Jewish faith (Executive Planet, 2012).
Jerusalem
• Capital of Israel
• Holy city to Jews, Christians and Muslims
• White stones reflect the sun—looks golden
The Western Wall aka Wailing
Wall
Israel now controls the Western
Wall, one of its holiest sites.
• “For some two thousand years the Temple Mount was forbidden to the Jews.
Until you came — you, the paratroopers — and returned it to the bosom of
the nation. The Western Wall, for which every heart beats, is ours once
again. Many Jews have taken their lives into their hands throughout our
long history, in order to reach Jerusalem and live here. Endless words of
longing have expressed the deep yearning for Jerusalem that beats within
the Jewish heart..You have been given the great privilege of completing the
circle, of returning to the nation its capital and its holy center...Jerusalem is
yours forever.”
–Commander Motta Gur to his brigade upon their recapture of
Jerusalem’s Old City and holy sites

• I felt truly shaken and stood there murmuring a prayer for peace. Motta
Gur’s paratroopers were struggling to reach the Wall and toudh it. We stood
among a tangle of rugged, battle-weary men who were unable to believe
their eyes or restrain their emotions. Their eyes were moist with tears, their
speech incoherent. The overwhelming desire was to cling to the Wall, to
hold on to that great moment as long as possible.”
–Chief of Staff Yitzchak Rabin
•
Western (Wailing) Wall
Constructed in 19 BC by Herod the Great
• Wailing wall translated means “Weeping Wall” like crying. Named
this because they cry due to the destruction of The Temple Mount
• The wall basically served as a retaining wall for the hill the temple
was built on.
• The Temple of Solomon was built on the Temple Mount and
destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians.
• A second temple was built in 516 BC but it was destroyed in 70 AD
by the Romans along with the rest of Jerusalem.
• This wall is all that remains of the Holy Temple
• Jews come to the wall to pray because it is the closest they can
come to the “gate of heaven” that was located in the “Holy of
Holies” in the Temple where they believe God resided on Earth.
Men and Women are separated at
he wall due to Orthodox Jewish b
eliefs
Prayers are inserted
into the wall on slips
of paper.
 Imports

Israel Imports:
• Raw materials
• Military equipment
• Rough diamonds
• Fuel
• Consumer goods
(Central Intelligence Agency, 2012)

Exports primarily come from the U.S, the Benelux

countries, Germany and the United Kingdom
(Executive Planet, 2012)
 Exports

Israel Exports:
• Machinery and equipment
• Software
• Cut diamonds,
• Agricultural products
• Textiles
(Central Intelligence Agency, 2012)

Exports primarily go to the U.S, United Kingdom, the

Benelux countries, Hong Kong and Japan
(Executive Planet, 2012)
 Culture & Religion

Jewish-Israel
Ethnic Groups: born

Jewish-
Europe/Ameri
ca

Jewish-African

Jewish- Asian

Non-Jewish

Religions: Jewish, Muslim, Christian, & Druze

 Languages
Hebrew, Arabic, & English

• Minority language is Hebrew, but official state languages are Hebrew

and Arabic (Lindquist, 2010).

• All minority groups are expected to learn the majority

language (Abu-Rabia, 1996).

• English is learned as the second language (Abu-Rabia, 1996).

• Every Israeli citizen learns Arabic and Hebrew in school (Lindquist, 2010).

• Currencies, passports and road signs contain translations in all

three languages (Lindquist, 2010).

• Arabic is associated with negativity (Lindquist, 2010).

•
People of Israel
Most are Jewish
immigrants—Israel
created after WW2
• Orthodox Jews—15%,
strictly follow religion,
black hats, curls on side
of head
• Men & women serve 2
years in army—
surrounded by enemies
• Jew observe Sabbath
and speak/write English
and Hebrew
Life on a Kibbutz

• Settlements of Jewish people in Israel, 300-

1500 people
• Live and work together, share everything
• Provide food, clothes, medication,
education
• Very democratic, women totally equal
Palestinians
• Arabs living in Israel
today and those living
in the area when land
was given to the
Jewish People
• Muslims—20% of
Israel, minority in a
democracy
• Separate communities,
lives, Islamic customs
and education
• West Bank, Gaza, and
Golan Heights
 Women & Men of Israel

• God Experts have complete control over marriage and divorce, Israel does
not recognize civil marriage (Granados, 2011).

• Between 5-10% of all Israeli women were exposed to violence in the home
(Muhlbauer, 2006)

• Abuse was seen to be the struggle of genders in society (Muhlbauer,

2006).

• Men felt the need to show their domination by abusing their wives
(Muhlbauer, 2006).

• In 1996 -over 4700 cases of women being abused, in 1997 this number
grew to 7800 (Muhlbauer, 2006).
Israeli – Palestinian Conflict
• both claim land—Holy
to both
• Palestinians living in
the area before WW2,
when Israel is created
—many forced out or
to refugee camps
• Terrorist organizations
start attacking Israel—
Israelis use army to
fight back
• Many civilians suffering
—violence still today
 Education

• Schooling life expectancy is 15yrs old for males and 16yrs old for females
(Central Intelligence Agency, 2012).

• Over 97% of the total population over 15yrs old can read and write (Central
Intelligence Agency, 2012).

• Israel ranks in the highest investing countries into public education

(Gumpel, 2007).

• The government has slashed higher education by 20% in the last 6 years
(Kalman, 2007).
 Education

• Israeli’s government spending on higher education in relation to

students, GDP and population growth is second to last in the world
(Kalman, 2007).

• The education system is structured as: kindergarten for ages 5-6,

elementary school for grades 1-6, middle school for grades 7-9, and
high school for grades 10-12 (Gumpel, 2007).

• More than 37,000 pupils study in special education and an

additional 40,000 pupils are in general education with special
education assistance (Gumpel, 2007).
Israeli Military

• Military known as the

Israeli Defense Force (IDF)
• One of the most modern
militaries in the world.
• Compulsory military
service for both males and
females
• Males = 3 years
• Females = Less than 2
• Both are fighters
Why are Israel and the U.S.
such close allies?
• Strategic importance = location in the Middle
East…both also actively fight terror and share
intelligence
• Political ties with Jewish businessmen and
Washington
• Share similar values (freedom, free market, etc.
[Cold War ties]) and similar religious backgrounds.
 Israel and the United States
In 1978, U.S. Vice President, Walter Mondale stated that “There is no country anywhere
in the world which more accurately reflects our basic values”. He is referring to Israel
and the U.S.

• Israel is the largest beneficiary

of American overseas aid.

• Like America, Israel is a settler state.

• Americans, Americanized the Holocaust by publicizing the Holocaust.

• The Six Day War is what helped the U.S. and Israel build a relationship.

• This relationship is believed to be derived from the core values that the two
states share.

(Stephens & Morewood, 2009)

 Doing Business in Israel
• Relationship oriented society
• Feelings and Emotions are most important (Israel, S.O,
2012).

The Native born Israeli is referred to as a Sabra. The word Sabra comes
from the Sabra Cactus Plant- very thorny and threatening on the outside
and very sweet and soft on the inside (Israel, S.O, 2012).
 Doing Business in Israel
How to Dress

• Wear your suit initially

• Dress down on next meeting

Appointment & Time

• Israeli’s want things done today- NOW!

• Provide an agenda outlining objectives and timelines

• Pay attention to when National holidays fall

• Respect normal workday hours – Sun-Thurs 8am-5pm

• Being on time to a meeting is relaxed.

 Doing Business in Israel

Greeting & Conversation

• Greet with a handshake

• Quickly Move to first name basis

• Maintain direct eye contact

• Expect invitation for coffee

• Always address Education level and refer to Doctor or Professor

• Like to talk about your personal life, and about Israel’s

cuisine, arts technology, sport and tourist attractions

• AVOID talking about Israel’s government, politics or religious

issues
 Doing Business in Israel
Gestures
• Echo the way an Israeli sits during a meeting

• Raising of the voice is a normal way of speaking

• An Israeli will take a phone call during a meeting or allow people to interrupt

• Lines are not formed to get on a bus or in busy areas

• Nudge people with your elbow or you will be LAST in line

• It is not common courtesy when passing someone on the street to say “Hi” or
to make eye contact.
• You will be asked “Who are you?”

• In religious communities
• No left-hand handshakes
• No gift giving
• No touching, greeting or handshake with women

(Israel, S.O, 2012)

 Doing Business in Israel
Negotiation

• Best at negotiation- tough and friendly

negotiations

• Start reasonably higher than what are

looking for in price

• Have a translator

• Get final negotiations in writing- Do not bring Attorney, send paperwork

after meeting

(Israel, S.O, 2012).

Doing Business in Israel

Gift Giving

Visiting in the home

• Chocolates, bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers are
acceptable (Executive Planet, 2012).

Visiting in the office

• Culture book from your home country, pen w/ company
logo or global desk clock (Israel, S.O, 2012).

A framed photo of your and the Israeli associate

(Israel, S.O, 2012).
 Food & Dining

• Restaurants are Kosher

• Meat and dairy are not served

• No pork products

• American, Indian, Chinese, and Middle

Eastern Restaurants

• Most common is Mediterranean-Middle

Eastern

• No special seating or etiquette codes in

restaurants

(Executive Planet, 2012).

Thank You!