Israeli president addresses largest investor event in Middle East

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has praised a summit involving the biggest business delegation from the Gulf as something which “would have been pure fantasy a few years ago.”

Herzog officially opened the OurCrowd summit, the biggest investor event in the Middle East for start up companies, saying he was particular happy to see so many delegates from Israel’s new partners for peace.

“It is especially exciting to welcome our brothers and sisters from the Abrahamic countries in the Gulf states,” said Herzog. “It is an inspiring reminder of what can become possible with good will, openness and the intention to harness our collective creativity towards finding solutions that benefit us all.”

More than 8500 people from 80 countries attended the summit in Jerusalem which was founded by Israeli American Jon Medved ten years ago. The big focus was on sustainability with around 200 start ups featuring everything from milk made from cow DNA to drones which can help with reforesting.

This year marks the first OurCrowd event since the Abraham Accords and both Abu Dhabi and Morocco housed large stands.

“This is a dream come true,” said Medved of hosting the event with so many people from the rest of the Middle East. “We are here in Jerusalem talking about how we coopernate, how the children of Abraham get together to essentially bring goodness to the world; one in which the Middle East, instead of being a source of conflict becomes a source of blessing.

“We are creating companies together on the cutting edge and this region will take its rightful place as a world leader and people will look at it and say, there is hope, there is optimism. Technology can be something which is a force to bring nations together.”

Dr Sabah Al-Binali, OurCrowd Arabia’s executive chairman added: “The Abraham Accords are here to stay. The political will is there and now its up to the private sector to continue that roll out.”

He and Medved both said they are hoping to see even more countries in the Middle East join in in the future. “Other nations are keeping a close eye on the countries that have already signed the Abraham Accords,” said Al-Binali. “They are countries that have relationships with the UAE and Morocco and they are seeing our relationships go from cold to warm.

“The Arab world takes its time to think through things and look at all scenarios. They will see that the Abraham Accords have opened up a new route to become a global pillar at the centre of global trade.”

President Herzog also used the conference to pledge trying to sort out the judicial reforms issue which has been tearing Israel apart.

“We are at a critical juncture in a national debate on the way our democracy is structured,” he said. “The way you see the innovative spirit of Israel at this summit you also see it in the debate we are having. I am very proud of my brothers and sisters – the Israelis taking on an active role in the debate from all of my sides.

“All I can do is tell you that I am doing my best to direct this debate into a constructive dialogue which will lead to a result which will strengthen and foster and protect Israeli democracy. I am putting 100 per cent of my effort into it.”