Israeli high-tech does not belong to Netanyahu. We don't want to live in Sparta.

At every one of Calcalist’s international conferences since October 7, 2023, I have repeated the same message: Israeli high-tech will not only endure — it will flourish.

Today, here in London, I stand before you to reaffirm this optimistic outlook.

Calcalist has been following the growth of Israeli high-tech ever since we founded our newspaper 18 years ago.

Yoel Esteron.

We’ve witnessed Israeli innovation fight for its place on the global stage through the toughest of times — waves of terror, a global pandemic, political instability, threats to democracy, and, of course, the most devastating war in our country’s history over the past two years.

So we can now say with confidence that, even in the most challenging circumstances, the Israeli tech community has delivered — no matter what.

I don’t usually speak about the Israeli government when I’m on stage outside my own country.

But I must say: many people around the world tend to see Israel as a single block, as if we are all Netanyahu. We are not. The Israeli high-tech ecosystem is, to a large extent, an almost independent entity. And we don't want to live in Sparta.

I’ve said it more than once: “Investing in Israel’s tech is a smart investment that will bear wonderful fruits.” That was never just a statement of resilience — it was a call to look at the fundamentals.

Now, let us address the reality we all know: Israeli companies are thriving against the backdrop of an increasingly hostile international environment. Some voices even call for disengagement or boycotts. Let us not pretend this wave of hostility does not exist. It does.

But here is the remarkable fact: Israeli high-tech continues to flourish. Why? Because serious investors understand that governments can be controversial, yet innovation runs deeper than politics.

They see that not every Israeli supports the government. They recognize that the engine of Israeli technology does not rely on government decisions.

It is driven by entrepreneurs, visionaries, engineers, and investors who compete globally — with no government involvement.

This distinction is crucial. Global investors keep their trust because they are betting on talent, execution, and proven track records. They are not betting on politics. And that trust translates into billions of dollars, even when the political headlines are negative.

This is the story we must tell today: not just that Israeli high-tech survives, but that it thrives because it is independent, adaptable, and globally relevant.

Our mission, looking forward, is to ensure that this growth is not only measured in billions of dollars raised, but also in the continued global recognition that Israeli innovation is indispensable.

From cybersecurity to artificial intelligence, from health tech to defense technologies, we are not only participants in the global competition — in many areas, we are among the leaders.

So when we speak about the future, let’s not talk about resilience as a defensive term. Let’s talk about growth, scale, and leadership.

That is why I can stand here today and say with confidence: Israeli high-tech is flourishing, and it will continue to do so.

Yoel Esteron is Calcalist's publisher and co-founder of Shomrim.