Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., May 04, 2008 Nisan 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:46 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Self-confidence in Israel's DNA By Dan Ben-David Tags: Israel Tucked away inside the summary of a recent mathematics examination administered to eighth-graders around the world is a small hint of the State of Israel's DNA. It is not a particularly flattering finding, but it captures such a basic element of the Israeli essence that it is hard to believe that the country could have ever arisen or existed without it. In that exam from 2003, countries were ranked according to the achievements of their pupils. The children of Israel, as they have been wont to do in recent years, were ranked at the bottom of the Western world. But in that same exam, there was an additional ranking of countries, this time based on the percentage of pupils expressing high self-confidence in learning math. Ironically enough, at the bottom of this ladder was Japan, whose children have consistently ranked among the top countries in achievement. Only 17 percent of the Japanese pupils were highly confident of their ability to learn math, compared with 59 percent of the Israeli pupils - who came in first place. Advertisement Self-confidence is a vital asset that money cannot buy, and we are bursting at the seams with it. But the distance between self-confidence and overconfidence is small, and the accompanying arrogance and bluster, the culture of "everything will be okay" and "don't worry, trust me" prevent treating problems at the source while constantly propelling us from one predicament to another. It is no coincidence that our word "chutzpah" has entered everyday language in other countries. Thinking outside the box is not a trait we need to strive for but is in fact a central feature of the Israeli character. Our boxes have no sides to restrain us, few rules and fewer laws that we feel compelled to obey. This is how we behave and this is how others see us - but it is possible that this is also an integral part of our secret to success. After being subject to a half century of bloody pogroms and the unspeakable Holocaust, how else might it be possible to explain the decision by 650,000 Jews to declare independence in their new-old home, in the face of a swelling tide of threats promising a second holocaust from the neighboring millions, and in the face of a seemingly rational international community that did not believe such a fledgling country had a chance of surviving physically, economically or socially under these circumstances - and in some cases, even did what it could to further reduce these prospects? The severe security and economic limitations, beginning in the pre-State days and continuing after independence, gave birth to the idea of creating kibbutzim and moshavim that served the dual purpose of rejuvenating the land in economic agriculturally based units while providing human shields along the country's borders. The Israeli sabra and "Jaffa Oranges" became Israeli trademarks, and with good reason. About half of all the country's exports in 1950 were agricultural. The pre-State Jewish community and the country-in-making did not focus only on defense and survival. They had a vision. On the top of Jerusalem's Mount Scopus, on the slopes of Mount Carmel and between the orchards of Rehovot, they created the foundations of Israel's higher education system. Within two decades of the country's birth, there were already seven research universities that reached the frontier of human knowledge, and even broke through it. From this academia emerged the people and ideas that enabled the country to establish itself, strengthen its defenses and take off economically. While agricultural exports today are nine times what they were in 1950 (after discounting for inflation), their share in Israel's total exports fell to just 2 percent - because, in the meantime, other sectors put down roots and began to grow. The high-tech boom was born as though it had been custom-made for Israel's can-do spirit and highly skilled workforce. It grew out of nowhere to comprise 30 percent of the country's industrial exports (excluding diamonds) in 1990. By 2007, it had already risen to 46 percent. We are not willing to be held up by the likes of Ahmadinejad, Hamas or Hezbollah, and our confidence in ourselves has infected many of those willing to invest a good deal of money in the companies and people who grew up here. In 1990, foreign direct investment in Israel reached $0.2 billion (in 2007 prices). These investments rose to $6 billion in 2000 and $10 billion in 2007. The national ability to set and attain goals without letting reality interfere underlies our chutzpah to exist against all odds and to thrive against all expectations. But on the road to the promised land, we leaped over serious problems in society, education and governance - existential domestic problems that have steadily deteriorated, and may yet overwhelm and defeat the dream if left untreated. Like DNA, which undergoes an evolutionary process to acclimate the body to changing realities, the time has come to recalibrate the Israeli character, to add to the nation's conviction of purpose and self-confidence a healthy dose of consideration for our fellow men and women, for the quality of their education, for the health services available to them, for their basic rights as well as personal safety and welfare. We have journeyed down a long road together, and when our entire assortment of successes and failures is taken into account, these have been 60 incredible years. The writer teaches economics in the Department of Public Policy at Tel Aviv University. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Security first Foreign Minister Livni tells the PA to ensure terrorists don't exploit Israel's gestures. Terrorist pride Lebanon-based guerillas Hezbollah say they're proud to appear on the U.S. terrorist list.

Read & React Livni: PA must ensure terrorists don`t exploit our W. Bank moves Responses: 345 IDF releases clip clearing itself of blame for Gaza family deaths Responses: 305 U.S. envoy cuts short Hebron trip after clash with settlers Responses: 216 Justice Ministry: Contrary to reports, no discussion of Olmert's suspension Responses: 150 Gaza sewage pumped into the sea over past three months Responses: 150 More Headlines 00:19 Rice to pressure Israel on West Bank roadblocks 01:17 Justice Ministry: Contrary to reports, no discussion of Olmert's suspension 22:37 Bodies of Bolivia accident victims to arrive in Israel 14:21 Major powers offer Iran fresh incentives to halt nuke program 18:24 Kuwaiti paper: Hamas willing to show flexibility over Shalit 11:39 The Palestinian Rothschilds 17:36 Lebanese Druze leader: Expel Iranian ambassador from Beirut 01:04 2 children, 1 senior citizen die in separate fires across Israel 10:18 Egypt's Islamic opposition slams gov't over gas deal with Israel 12:02 Palestinian forces en route to Jenin for large-scale security op Previous Editions Select Day 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr 20 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer The interest rates haven't changed But your profits will! Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved