Tom Nides: "This war will only make Israel stronger, more innovative, smarter, and better"

"Make no mistake, I understand the resilience of this country—Israel is the most resilient place in the world," said Tom Nides, Vice Chairman, Strategy and Client Relations at Blackstone and former U.S. ambassador to Israel, at the Calcalist and Bank Leumi conference in Miami. In a conversation with Yifat Oron, Senior Managing Director at Blackstone and head of its Tel Aviv office, he emphasized that this resilience not only solidifies Israel's position as a key ally of the U.S. but also enhances its global standing.

"Despite the war, Israel's technology sector delivered a strong performance in 2024," Oron said. "Leading funds, including Blackstone and other multinational companies, have expressed confidence in the proven ability of Israeli technology to operate under pressure. This trust, built over years of consistent performance, has driven record investment activity, as well as mergers and acquisitions. It underscores the resilience of the sector and its unique capacity to deliver critical technologies at an accelerated pace, helping maintain and even boost the volume of transactions to levels seen in previous years."

Nides expressed an optimistic view of Israel’s future, noting that the events of October 7 will likely transform the country in ways that strengthen it, open new economic opportunities, and foster growth. "This war will only make Israel stronger, more innovative, smarter, and better," he said.

He reiterated a well-known investor principle: "You should invest in a company when it’s down, not when it’s up. Now is the time to invest in Israel—it’s an excellent place to make money. The technology being developed in Israel and the opportunities it presents are enormous. You make money when others are uncertain, when the future seems unclear. That’s why now is the time to invest in Israel."

Nides emphasized that those willing to invest during challenging times will be well-positioned to benefit from Israel’s recovery and revival. "The distress of countries often gives rise to innovation, and Israel’s history is a testament to this principle," he said.

A liberal Democrat, Nides commented on the results of the U.S. elections and the return of Donald Trump to power: "We are a democracy. Half the country voted for Donald Trump, and half voted for us. He won; we lost. To be clear, I never implied that Trump hasn’t supported Israel. He undoubtedly did. From the moment I became U.S. ambassador under Joe Biden, I worked to promote the Abraham Accords, which were initiated and achieved by the Trump administration. These agreements are a critical element of Israel’s security."

He added that the Trump administration is also expected to continue supporting Israel. "America protects Israel," he stated. On the U.S. economy, he remarked: "The economy is already on the rise. I am optimistic that the country will continue its path to prosperity."

Nides praised the Abraham Accords and urged the new administration to prioritize the release of Israeli hostages still in Gaza. He also called for continued development of the Abraham Accords, describing them as "game changers" that paved the way for normalization between Israel and several Arab countries.

He highlighted the potential for normalization with Saudi Arabia, saying: "Such developments could lead to improved relations with other Muslim countries. This shift may foster economic cooperation and regional stability, creating a more conducive environment for investment and growth. It would be transformative—not just with Saudi Arabia but across the Muslim world."

Watch the full interview in the video above.