Finance Ministry thanks ICSEP

Memos
10 Aug ’05

After the financial market reform was ratified by the Knesset, the director general of the finance ministry wrote to ICSEP director Daniel Doron.

“Thank you for the support and encouragement that you and your colleagues gave us throughout the process,” he wrote.

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

DIRECTOR GENERAL

August 10, 2005

Mr. Daniel Doron
Director of the Israel Center for Social and Economic Progress
Mevaseret Zion

My dear friend Daniel,

Now that we have concluded our project and the financial market reform was ratified by the Knesset, I find it appropriate to thank you for the support and encouragement that you and your colleagues gave us throughout the process.

Your faith in the justice of our cause, that led to the total engagement of The Israel Center for Social and Economic Progress (in the struggle for the reform) was, no doubt, an important ingredient in our success.

I feel honor bound to stress that your engagement in our efforts was based on purely professional considerations, and was done without any reward, without any fear and with total devotion. You are indeed a unique phenomenon that can serve as a model and a symbol of what acting in the public interest can be.

Together we have managed to introduce very significant changes in the Israeli economy.

Our heartfelt thanks,

Respectfully,
Dr. Yossie Bachar

Other recent memos

4 Aug ’05

Finance Minister thanks ICSEP for helping historic market reform

After the passage of historic capital market and tax reform bills, Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu wrote to ICSEP director Daniel Doron to thank ICSEP for “truly invaluable assistance in helping bring about this important reform.”

A surprising commentary on ICSEP's work
16 Oct ’04

Economics editor requests pardon from ICSEP

On the eve of Yom Kippur this year, Sever Plotzker, chief economic and social editor of the very influential Yediot Achronot, requested a pardon from seven parties whom he thought “were not given the credit they deserved” and “to whom the Israeli economy owes quite a bit.” Among them was ICSEP.

Policy-related work and education for the elites
25 May ’04

2003 Year-End Report

Our work in 2003 proceeded along the two intertwined tracks that we projected in our Work Plan 2002-3, namely, Policy-Related Work and Education for the Elites, especially university and high school students. We have continued our Media and Networking roles, and have added a Research track this year.

25 Jan ’04

Work Plan 2002-3

Our work plan is comprised of two interrelated tracks. The first, directed at short- and medium-range objectives, is dedicated to accelerating government economic policy reform; the second is longer-term in approach and educational in nature.

Both are meant to encourage Israel’s adoption of growth-enhancing economic policies that will offer better career opportunities and a better standard of living for its inhabitants, especially the young, while also enabling it to shoulder more of its heavy defense burden and special social needs.

All recent program activities

Speeches
US VIP group
24 Nov ’09

Israel’s Prosperity, Peace Depend on Economic Reform

Until the Intifadah and the Oslo agreements, a non-political process of economic collaboration was leading to a gradual reconciliation between Arabs and Jews, explains ICSEP President Daniel Doron in a talk sponsored by the America-Israel Friendship League. That process can now resume, Doron argues, helped by economic reform within Israel.

Speeches
Gilder/Forbes Telecosm 2009 Conference
10 Nov ’09
Tarrytown House Estate, Tarrytown, New York

Israel’s Prosperity, Peace Depend on Economic Reform

Speeches
NCPA Dinner
11 Apr ’08
Dallas, Texas

Opening Remarks to Introduce Binyamin Netanyahu

ICSEP President Daniel Doron introduces future Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu at an NCPA dinner in Dallas, Texas.

Speeches
27 Jun ’07
Merage Forum

Remarks for the Merage Forum on Education

“Past reforms have focused on asking for more money for education,” ICSEP President Daniel Doron noted in his speech to the Merage Forum on education.

“This despite the fact that Israel is already spending the highest proportion of GDP on education in the West.

“Yet, despite a steady growth in expenditures, standards and achievements have shown little improvement; in fact they have further deteriorated.”

Speeches
25 Jun ’07
Strategic Forums Sponsored by Paul Merage

Opening Remarks at the Strategic Forums Sponsored by Paul Merage

“Before I continue with my remarks, let me sound an optimistic note,” said Daniel Doron, ICSEP President, in his opening remarks to the Strategic Forums Sponsored by Paul Merage.

“You will hear voices say that attempts to reform Israel are futile, that you cannot initiate significant changes here.

“We know better.”

The high-powered conference was held to explore ways of encouraging Israeli high-tech to meet the serious challenges facing it and to continue flourishing.

Memos
4 Aug ’05

Finance Minister thanks ICSEP for helping historic market reform

After the passage of historic capital market and tax reform bills, Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu wrote to ICSEP director Daniel Doron to thank ICSEP for “truly invaluable assistance in helping bring about this important reform.”

Guests
8 Jul ’05

Binyamin Netanyahu

“In 10 years, Israel could be one of the 10 richest countries in the world,” Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told guests at ICSEP’s first annual United States Awards Dinner.

Milton Friedman expressed similar beliefs to those assembled at New York’s St Regis Hotel: “Israel has the potential of being the Hong Kong of the Middle East,” he said in his video address.

During dinner, Israel’s minister of economic affairs in America, Ron Dermer, presented the awards.

Speeches
Republican Jewish Coalition
25 May ’05
Washington, DC

Israel’s survival, peace, depend on economic prosperity

“Most of you have visited Israel,” ICSEP president Daniel Doron began his address to the Republican Jewish Coalition in Washington on May 25th.

“You saw a vibrant, seemingly well-to-do country.

“You ate at posh restaurants full of prosperous Israelis, visited their impressive villas and saw their expensive cars.

“And yet, Israel, chock-full of human talent and energy, a world-class high-tech leader, seems in perpetual economic trouble.

“If the country is to survive it must reform its economic system, and do it soon.”

Read the entire speech.

Memos
16 Oct ’04

Economics editor requests pardon from ICSEP

On the eve of Yom Kippur this year, Sever Plotzker, chief economic and social editor of the very influential Yediot Achronot, requested a pardon from seven parties whom he thought “were not given the credit they deserved” and “to whom the Israeli economy owes quite a bit.” Among them was ICSEP.

Reform Plans
30 May ’04

Reform of Financial Markets in Israel

ICSEP has circulated the following letter together with a PowerPoint presentation: “A Competitive Capital Market – A Growth Engine for the Israeli Economy”.

Dear friends,

Enclosed is a draft document on the reform of financial markets in Israel. We hope it explains why such a reform is so vital for Israel’s viability, and why Israel needs a strong economy to meet the extraordinary threats and challenges facing it.