Israeli television reporter Gil Tamary told a San Diego fundraiser for the Jewish National Fund Sunday that supporters of Israel have much to be proud of as that country approaches its 66th independence day on Monday.
Tamary, the Washingtion bureau chief for Channel 10 News — one of the two commercial networks in Israel — said advances in energy self-sufficiency, entrepreneurial prowess, and military ingenuity are reason to celebrate.
He cited the development of large natural gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea, numerous successful start-ups by Israeli companies, and the military’s “Iron Dome” anti-missile defense.
He noted that billionaire investor Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway has made significant investments in Israel over a number of years.
“Follow Warren Buffet,” Tamary said. “He’s a smart man, very successful, and he has put his faith in Israel.”
Some 350 San Diego residents, including many local political leaders, attended the brunch at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel.
Tamary said Israeli has many challenges, citing the recent breakdown in peace negotiations with the Palestinians, and the poverty and lack of skills among ultra-orthodox Jews. Addressing these challenges will take time, he said, adding, “Israel is not a perfect place, but it’s just 66 years old.”
The Jewish National Fund was founded in 1901 to buy land from the former Ottoman Empire and develop it for Jewish settlement. The fund has evolved into an environmental development organization, planting 250 million trees, building over 210 reservoirs and dams in water-short Israel, and creating more than 1,000 parks.
