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“Israel Bonds means bonding with Israel as a global innovator”

“A great opportunity for the younger population looking to connect with Israel as the Startup Nation – A world-class leader in technology and innovation.”

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ARNON PERLMAN:
Dani, thank you very much for your time. And as I told you in a previous conversation, it's a pleasure to reconnect after 20 years, I don't think either of us ever believed the reconnection would be like this. But G-d works in mysterious ways.

DANI NAVEH:
G-d creates such great opportunities, so it's great.

ARNON PERLMAN:
You've had an extraordinary civil service career in politics as the Secretary of the government. But also, before the cabinet, you were a leading politician as a Knesset member, and then of course as the Minister of Health. Afterwards, you became an accomplished leading businessperson heading one of Israel's largest insurance companies, and many other ventures. How would all of that, everything you've accumulated in your career, help you to achieve your vision for Israel Bonds?

DANI NAVEH:
Israel Bonds are bonds for the State of Israel. In this respect, the unique background that I have had within the government, different kinds of key positions in the business sector, gives me the capabilities to have, really, the point of view of the State of Israel and its needs, its requirements and agendas, and everything that we’ve been doing at Israel Bonds is for the sake of the State of Israel. The kind of background and experience I have is very helpful. And as you’ve mentioned, I led one of Israel’s leading financial institutions, Clal Insurance, for seven years. I became involved in all aspects – in products, in regulations, in capital markets – and in the venture capital business, whether it was with Israeli companies on the NASDAQ, or in Europe as well, and that kind of experience is very conducive for me now at Israel Bonds.

Dani Naveh, seated on the far left, as a minister in a Knesset discussion, 2003

ARNON PERLMAN:
One of the things which is very dominant when looking at your CV, is how you started your career at a very early age - I think beginning in your 20’s – if I don't count your service in the IDF.

DANI NAVEH:
Actually, it was before the army. I started my political career, my public career, even before the army, when I was a high school student. 

ARNON PERLMAN:
At Noar HaLikud?

DANI NAVEH:
Many things… we don't have time to talk about all of that, but I was the chair of The Jerusalem Council for Youth, the chair of The Zionist Congress for Youth, the Noar HaLikud, as you said, which is the Likud Youth Movement. I had my first meeting with Menachem Begin, the late Prime Minister, when I was 17 years old.

ARNON PERLMAN:
Wow! So that actually leads me to the next question - from your experience being a young leader, how important is it, in your eyes, for Israel Bonds to be a driving force for cultivating prominent young leaders in places that we work in?

DANI NAVEH:
You really touched one of the most important missions for Israel Bonds, in my mind: attracting younger generations.

I think that we must approach and reach out to the younger population around the world. The whole concept of Israel Bonds as a powerful interaction between communities and the State of Israel must be grounded in inspiring young leadership. Of course, I have a lot of admiration and respect for all investors, and most of them have been with us for many years and will be for many more. They set the example to see more and more young people involved.

It's also so important because Israel Bonds can help bring information to young people here in the United States, as well as the UK, Europe, and Latin America. Lack of information about Israel, and so often misinformation, is a real problem. We can play an important role in communicating and portraying the real Israel. We can do this with missions to Israel and participating in gatherings and events with great speakers. It's so important for our entire collective future, not only for Israel Bonds.

ARNON PERLMAN:
I couldn't agree more. Speaking of Israel Bonds being part of the State of Israel, how does that assist when it comes to the challenges that Israel is facing today?

DANI NAVEH:
Thankfully, the Israeli economy is really in great shape and the GDP is strong when compared to the benchmark in the OECD countries.

Still, Israel Bonds is valued as a great way for Israel to increase its connections and ties to different communities. Bonds of friendship are built on an individual basis, as well as through organizations, around the world. It’s believing in the future of Israel.

ARNON PERLMAN:
My follow-up question is from the other side. How is being part of the Israel Bonds family important to the challenges that local communities are facing in their own countries, be it in North America or Europe? 

DANI NAVEH:
If you are looking for opportunities to increase the ties between Israel and your local community, or if you look for opportunities to increase your connection to our heritage, this is probably one of the best opportunities to do so. Different kinds of gatherings, receiving quality information, forming groups that can access the real Israel, and not the distortions we see on the news. If you really feel the need to make better connections with Israel, Israel Bonds is one of the best platforms for that.

ARNON PERLMAN:
One more professional question before we get a bit more personal: when you look ahead, what are the challenges and opportunities that drive your vision for Israel Bonds over the next five years?

DANI NAVEH:
It goes back to what I said earlier – a special focus on young leadership and next generation engagement. And it's not only about demographics. It’s our core message. We have been facing so many toxic campaigns such as BDS. I think that one of our main missions for the coming years is really to redefine the conversation. Showcasing Israel as a country that is making peace and reconciliation with many of its neighbours. Israel as a leader in technology, a Startup Nation, a place of creation and innovation.

We are a very strong country, but Israel still faces threats from some places, mainly from Iran and its proxy organizations and allies. And so, we constantly have to strengthen the State of Israel. The main answer to your question is really this, and I say this most especially to our youth: ‘Don't take the State of Israel’s existence for granted.’

Some in our communities may think, ‘Oh, we have Israel. It can manage without us.’ Never take that for granted. We all have a role to play.

ARNON PERLMAN:
I couldn't agree more! Allow me to get a little bit more personal. You spoke in the past about your parents – can you tell us what influence your parents have had on your career, growing up from being a young leader all the
way to the present?

DANI NAVEH:
Well, my parents actually weren't political people. They were not involved in the political scene in Israel. But at the same time, I grew up in a very Zionist family, a very committed family to the State of Israel.

Dani Naveh (front row, third from the left) Minister of health under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, at the residence of the President of Israel, 2003.

ARNON PERLMAN:
So it was an ideological house, not a ‘political house’.

DANI NAVEH:
Yes. And the atmosphere in our home was the overall importance of strengthening Israel. My parents came from Europe before modern Israel was born. They went through the Holocaust and the War of Independence. I got so much from them – the sense of importance to be involved, active, to do something, to be involved and not just to leave
it to others.

At the same time, I think that one of the most important things that I got from my parents, which is really on a different note, is the importance of education. In Hebrew, we say education for chinuch ve Haskalah, so it's more for Haskalah. I don't know how you would translate it, because it's education, but it's more, general knowledge – it’s Jewish knowledge, Jewish heritage, everything. In many ways, my parents belong to the generation that sacrificed themselves – everything – for the sake of their children's education. I felt a commitment to fulfill this investment and to take it forward.

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“IN 1944, MY MOTHER WAS ALONE IN
THIS WORLD”

ARNON PERLMAN:
Dani, you’ve mentioned before that your parents were Holocaust survivors. I hope it’s not too personal. What does it mean for you as a child of Holocaust survivors as you look at the progress of your career and where you are now? From an emotional point of view, it must be something which is so fulfilling and unique.

DANI NAVEH:
I will tell you. At the age of 14, my mother found herself in the markets of Budapest in 1944, looking for food, by herself in this world, without her family. And shortly afterwards, she was sent to Bergen-Belsen. She survived and came to the land of Israel and met my father.

This was my family’s story and from a very young age, I found myself reading so many books on the Holocaust. I carried that with me, on my shoulders. Perhaps more than I should have. There is no doubt, it had and still has, a strong impact on my personality and the way I see things, the way I see my commitment to Israel. Getting involved in politics was mainly due to that notion - ‘How can I be part of the decision-making process for the future of the State of Israel? How can I make an impact and influence, be in a position where I can do things for this cause?’ And that’s how it really started, with my political involvement at a very early stage of my life. Today, it continues with me serving as the President and CEO of Israel Bonds. Because what we are doing at Israel Bonds is really for the sake of the State of Israel and its future, its security, and its economy.

Everything in my life has been part of that same picture for me, from a child, to this time in my life.

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“I WAS DESCRIBED AS A BOOKWORM”

ARNON PERLMAN:
I think I understand, and I think our readers will be moved by that.

I’d like to take the last part of this discussion and give our readers who don’t know you the chance to get to know you better. What is your favourite family vacation in Israel – the place where you like to get away from everything?

DANI NAVEH:
Usually its some quiet days at home! There are so many places. One area is the Galilee. We call it in Israel, Zimmer. I’m thinking a place in the mountains, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. It's probably one of my
favourite places! Holo

ARNON PERLMAN:
And while going to this location, what would be the book that you would bring? Either a specific book or genre?

DANI NAVEH:
When I was a young guy, I was already described by my relatives as a book lover, always reading… help me with the translation…

ARNON PERLMAN:
A bookworm?

DANI NAVEH:
Yes. Really! I would read so many books, mainly history and biographies, not only about Jewish aspects,
but worlds aspects.

But I will tell you that my favourite is something from a completely different direction. It's more like on the fiction side. My favourite ones are the thriller books by Jo Nesbø from Norway. His books were translated into so many languages, millions of books that were bestsellers. And I just started to read recently a new big book of his, called The Jealousy Man, which is a very different kind of book because it's a collection of short stories, thriller short stories. I love Jo Nesbø’s writing. I love thriller books! And he is one of the best thriller writers in the world.

ARNON PERLMAN:
So basically, you accumulate knowledge, but when you need to relax, you go to fiction and thrillers!

DANI NAVEH:
And it also stimulates your mind in different ways.

ARNON PERLMAN:
Exactly. Tell us – while reading this book, what music would you be listening to? Would it be classical, jazz, rock?

DANI NAVEH:
I don’t read and listen because I like to concentrate on the book. But when I run in the morning, I usually put some nice Israeli music on.

ARNON PERLMAN:
Contemporary? Old?

DANI NAVEH:
It can be both. I don't know how familiar the readers are with Israeli music, but it could be from Arik Einstein to Omer Adam. It’s all of them.

ARNON PERLMAN:
Okay, that’s your running playlist.

DANI NAVEH:
Yes – I have a great playlist of Israeli music!

ARNON PERLMAN:
Last question - what would be a perfect meal in your house and for you?

DANI NAVEH:
It’s very simple - falafel and tahini!

ARNON PERLMAN:
Spoken like a true Israeli! Dani, thank you for your time and for this interview. It was fascinating and we'll
speak again soon.

DANI NAVEH:
Thank you.

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