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The Secret of Israel's Success
(Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania) Often lost in public perceptions of Israel is what this tiny country of 8 million people - founded only 67 years ago, possessing few natural resources, and facing constant security threats from its neighbors - has achieved from an economic and business standpoint. Ron Dermer, Israel's ambassador to the U.S. and a Wharton graduate, recently spoke at Wharton on this subject. Dermer asserted that in addition to Israel's embracing of capitalism and having a genius for innovation, the natural chutzpah (a Yiddish word meaning insolence, boldness, audacity) of the Jewish people was another secret of Israel's success. Chutzpah was reflected in the country's very name, he said. In the Old Testament, Israel was the name given to Jacob after he wrestled with an angel. "Israel means to struggle with God. Why is that the secret of our success? Because if Israel's going to do battle with God, we're going to do battle with Apple and Microsoft [too]." We've been a questioning, skeptical people for a long time, Dermer said, and "it takes gall and daring to challenge conventional wisdom."