Paris 2024
Bank Hapoalim CEO: "We have an obligation and responsibility to set an example for the economy"
On the opening event of the business delegation to Paris, the CEO of Bank Hapoalim emphasized the duty of the business sector to help the economy when needed. Olympic Committee chair Yael Arad: "The role of athletes is not only to excel but also to represent the country."
"War is a tragedy in many ways, including for businesses, but in the last seven months, the Israeli business community has proven its resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges," said Calcalist editor-in-chief Galit Hemi on the opening night of the Calcalist and Bank Hapoalim business delegation to Paris.
Hemi pointed out that precisely in this period, when our hearts go out to the families of the many victims of the war, to the abductees in Gaza, and to the soldiers serving on the front, the presence of the business delegation in Paris is a source of optimism and resilience for the Israeli economy. She noted favorably the functioning of the business sector during the war. "While preserving their business activities, Israeli companies mobilized from the first day of the war to fill the void left by the government and provide essential and significant aid to families, small businesses, and soldiers. All this occurred amidst a gloomy business climate in Israel, incessant international pressures, and continuous haplessness on the part of the country's leadership," she said.
Hemi further added that the commitment of the business sector to continue investing in Israel and striving to make it a better place instills hope that we can turn this crisis into an opportunity. "I have no doubt that the business community in Israel will continue to strive for excellence and to create value for both local and international investors. Despite the challenges, Israel's reputation will be preserved. Despite the rough image, Israelis really care about their country, and together with the Western world, they share values of democracy and morality," Hemi noted.
Bank Hapoalim CEO Dov Kotler also praised the activity of the business sector during the war: "Despite the government, the private sector proved its ability to be extremely active. From the morning of October 7th, there is no one here who was not involved, contributed, and assisted. It is our civic duty as leaders of the private sector," Kotler said.
"We are here in Paris in a kind of escapism, but we have a duty and responsibility to set an example for the economy with and despite the government. We set an excellent example in the first months of the war, and we must continue to do so. There are many other sectors that can be helped, and I am proud to say that the forum here set a personal and exemplary example. We have a strong civil society that accompanies every event that takes place in the country," Kotler said.
Kotler, who recently announced that he will leave his position after a five-year term, noted that it's a high point in his career to see the current delegation, which consists of a large forum and a combination of the founder generation and the next generation in the business sector.
In about two months, the Olympics will open in Paris, and the chair of the Israel Olympic Committee, Yael Arad, spoke on the opening night about the feelings of some of the Israeli athletes after the outbreak of the war: "After the events of October 7, some of the Israeli athletes in the Olympic delegation did not want to continue training when Israel is in such a difficult situation. We had to convince them to return, and we explained to them that they would represent Israel and display its excellence, even in an atmosphere that may be anti-Semitic, with demonstrations and heavy security. We will raise the flag here for the Israelis and the Jewish community in the world," said Arad.
Arad emphasized in her words that being an athlete is not only about fulfilling dreams and excelling: "It is also about representing the country, bringing the value of the Jewish community to the biggest sporting event in the world, and that is what we will do," said Arad, and said that this year the Israeli delegation includes 85 athletes, and for the first time since 1976 also the soccer team.
Arad noted that this year's Olympics will be special because it is being held in an iconic city like Paris, and that the Olympic Games will be held in different locations and near iconic sites such as the Concorde, the Eiffel Tower, and the Palace of Versailles. She also stated that for the first time in the Olympics there will be an equal representation of women and men, and this after a process that many sports went through, which resulted in gender diversity.
"We had all the reasons in the world to cancel this delegation's trip to Paris," said Noa Tamir, CEO of Calcalist. "But out of a deep commitment to the business community that has accompanied us for many years, out of a desire to encourage our Olympic athletes in preparation for the upcoming Olympics in Paris (Yael Arad and the members of the Israeli Olympic Committee are here with us) and out of a desire to demonstrate the real resilience of those at the forefront of the Israeli economy, we decided that we are implementing Israel's first business delegation to Paris. Although we are in a challenging time for the State of Israel, we have the power to make a positive impact, even in a small way, so here we are, in the heart of Paris, for 48 hours of business optimism."
