Economic reforms and ICSEP
Despite efforts by several government and public commissions recommending basic reforms over the past decade, progress has been painfully slow. Powerful vested interests possess huge political clout. They are supported by Israel’s media which promotes a statist ethos and deprives the public of information needed to understand and support reform.
It is ICSEP’s crucial role to facilitate reforms, and to reduce resistance to them. ICSEP also provides a compelling alternative to the prevailing ethos of a government-dominated welfare state. It is almost alone in undertaking these tasks.
Since its inception in 1984, ICSEP has led the effort to create a consensus for economic liberalization and deregulation. Indeed, the Israeli economy has been transformed in the ensuing years, but not nearly enough. ICSEP is continuing to push reform forward by providing concrete tailor-made reform proposals in many sectors of the economy—and facilitating their implementation.
ICSEP is also Israel’s chief spokesperson and educator in the principles of market economics. Through its extensive contacts and cooperation with other institutions, it acts as a major catalyst and facilitator of reform. The challenges facing ICSEP are daunting and require considerable resources. Friends of Israel are addressing these problems as a high priority through their assistance for our work.
In the words of Prime Minister Netanyahu: “ICSEP is essentially alone in undertaking these tasks.”
