"If Israeli businesspeople want to do business in the Arab world, there must be peace with the Palestinians," said Idan Ofer, one of the controlling shareholders in Israel Corporation (TASE: ILCO) at a press conference held by "Israel Initiates" at Beit Sokolov in Tel Aviv today.
"I've met Arab businessmen who won't do business with us until we solve the conflict with the Palestinians. The occupation must end," Ofer added.
"As an international businessman, it has been made clear to me many times that if the situation here does not improve, our companies, which employ thousands of people, will be harmed," said Ofer. "Several years ago, I travelled to North Korea, a country under sanctions. People have nothing to eat there, and I don’t want to reach such a situation. If we don’t take the step of peace with the Palestinians, that's what will happen."
Ofer said that Israel must take the approach successfully applied by Singapore. "The president of Singapore ordered foreign investment so that people wouldn’t starve, and it worked. Singapore's relations with its neighbors are excellent and reciprocal. This theory must be applied here in Israel."
"I would be very happy if the Palestinians' economic conditions were better, and it will only happen when there is peace."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 6, 2011
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