The book is based on interviews with 100 Israelis and covers both old and current history to bring in perspective to why Israel is the fourth happiest country. It gives an insight into nation’s resilience against many odds, that have been sapping similar affluent societies of their health and vitality. Israel shows there is nothing inevitable about decline and despair. There is a way to live with, and even thrive, in an age of rapid change and uncertainty.
Israel is a country of 9.8 million, only 76 years old, surrounded by enemies, in a constant state of war since its founding and with no natural resources. But the per capita income of Israel ranks above that of the UK and Canada. In this book, one can find answer to an interesting question about Israel’s ability to produce more startups than large, peaceful and stable nations like Japan, China, India, Korea, Canada and the UK.
Willing to work in the army…
Israel is a cross-sectional polyglot of races, ethnicities, and cultures from over 70 nations which forms a distinctive communal family. Out of 9.8 million, 75 per cent are jews ( 7.3 per cent are ultra-orthodox), 18 per cent are muslims, 1.9 per cent Christians and 1.6 per cent Druze and others 3.5 per cent. The book narrates several stories to show how Israel society, despite having several opposing “tribes” with many disputes, is peaceful.
One of the most amazing discussions I found was the desire of every Israeli (excepting ultra-orthodox) – rich or poor to join the army at young age (16 to 17 years). In several countries where conscription is mandatory, people find ways to avoid it. But not in Israel.
It is while serving in army, youths inculcate “hevre” and “gibush”. These Hebrew words, as the authors explain cannot be translated into English. Hevre refers to any group – close knit friends from school, youth scouting group, community project, military unit or workplace. Gibush is the act of bringing people together with the goal of deepening the bond uniting them.
Israel defense forces serves the purpose of producing leaders. In 1 in 10 adults have had significant command responsibility at relatively young age (as early as 22 years), something not seen in the developed world. This tends to make them both risk takers and prudent stewards, who are problem solvers and team players.
Nation above all
How Israelis are attached to their country and do not want to immigrate to the silicon valley like most techies is illustrated in the book. Amon Shashua, a post doctoral computer scientist was intrigued by a question of a Japanese engineer, if it is possible to detect a vehicle with one camera. After completing studies at MIT, he returns to Israel and found a company, Mobileye. In eight years it developed a product called Mobileye EyeQ Chip – brain behind the cameras which are used today by many car companies. In 2017, Intel bought Mobileeye for USD 15.3 billion. One of the conditions for the sale was that the company remained in Jerusalem.
Israel is a child-centric culture, where employers are expected to give parental leaves. Grandparents are a big part of the Israeli childcare solution. With an average of roughly three children born per woman, Israel is the only developed country that exceeds the replacement rate .
Yet how did Hamas attack Israel?
Within a month of publication of the book, Hamas attacked Israel killing 1200. This raises one natural question. What happened to the genius of Israel. How did the highly reputed Israeli intelligence fail? This was the question raised by NY Times while reviewing the book. Netanyahu is now being criticised for overlooking the warnings given by his offlcials.
A quote of the authors, Señor and Singer pretty much summarises the main thesis of the book: “Israel’s cultural operating system is based on repeated exposure to ever-increasing challenges both before and during military service. This life trajectory produces people addicted to doing things that are difficult, important, and meaningful. Problem-solving is an Israeli happy place.”