Israel Matzav

Bloggers conference call with author George Gilder

On Thursday, I participated in a bloggers conference call with George Gilder. Mr. Gilder, the author of the NY Times bestseller, Wealth and Poverty, discussed his latest book, The Israel Test: Why Israel is the Crucial Battlefield for Capitalism and Freedom Today. Unfortunately, I did not receive my advance copy of the book in time to review it before the conference call. I have discussed the book previously here.

Gilder argues that Israel is a central force in the global economy and is crucial to the United States. Israel is number 1 per capita in technological contributions and behind only the United States in absolute numbers. High tech has grown more than 60-fold since 1991.

Netanyahu a leader at shaping world response to terrorism as well as a leading supply-side economist. US needs Bibi and Israel at least as much as Israel needs the US. That's why he wrote the book.

The 'Palestinians' have benefited from Israel more than anyone else. For every Jewish 'settler,' ten Arabs have moved into the 'territories.' From 1967-87, the 'territories' were the most rapidly growing economy in the Middle East and one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world. Arabs tripled, incomes tripled (grew twenty-fold in Gaza) and life expectancy went from 42 to 70. Bringing Arafat back halted growth; had it continued it would have made 'Palestine' peaceful, prosperous and pro-Israel.

He believes that Israel is the crucial battlefield of capitalism and freedom in the world today.

Here's a video of part of Mr. Gilder's opening statement to today's conference call. Let's go to the videotape.



I asked Mr. Gilder why the 'Palestinians' are acting against their own economic interests. He said that the 'Palestinians' don't understand their own interest and those that do are intimidated by the terrorism. He says that it's a tragedy. Israel will be increasingly powerful and dominant both economically and militarily as time goes on. He believes we have to stop financing terrorism and stop focusing on the deranged leadership (his words) that dominates 'Palestine.' He believes that giving money to Gaza is wrong. The West has to stop treating the leaders as if they represent a legitimate force. 'Don't solve problems, pursue opportunities.' Time is on Israel's time.

Mr. Gilder was asked about the Obama administration's approach to Israel, and said that Obama is living in a delusional world with State Department people who don't understand the 'settlements.' Without the 'settlements,' there would be no 'Palestine.' The idea of Obama promoting segregation is preposterous. But because so many supporters of Israel accept the notion that 'settlements' are 'illegitimate,' Obama believes he can get away with this. They don't understand economics.

A couple of other choice quotes:

He believes that this is Netanyahu's moment and that Netanyahu will rise to it.

He believes that Iran will have trouble 'bringing to bear its nuclear capabilities.'

The full recording of the conference call should be here sometime on Thursday is here.

I can't wait for the book to show up already!

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:03 PM