Though only the 98th largest country in the world (by population), the tiny nation of Israel has become an innovative giant.  Despite a relatively small population of roughly 7.8 million, Israel has birthed over 4800 startups, mostly in the technology, medical and agricultural sectors.  For example, did you know flash drives were invented by an Israeli, Dov Moran, before being sold to SanDisk?  Or perhaps you’ve heard of the PillCam, used by physicians for detecting internal medical conditions.  You guessed it…invented by an Israeli!  In 2013, Google paid over $1 billion for the Israeli-created Waze traffic/navigation app.

Closer to home (if you live in Arizona, as I do!), the Israeli company, Elbit Systems, was just contracted to deploy border surveillance technology in southern Arizona.

In 2013, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange listed 616 companies, meaning one company for every 12,662 Israelis, as compared to one American company for roughly every 47,000 American citizens.  Though only 98th in size, Israel is second only to “Silicon Valley” in startups.  Capital investors pour hundreds of millions of dollars into Israeli innovation, and seemingly every tech company wishes to coordinate efforts with Israel.

What makes this tiny nation so entrepreneurial?  There are many theories, and it is probably a combination of most or all of them.  Here are some common theories about what drives the innovative giant:

• Israel’s education system is praised as perhaps the best in the world, primarily because students participate actively.  There is much more hands-on learning and encouragement for Israeli students to think for themselves.  Students are taught how to think rather than what to think.  Students are free to question, to debate, to collaborate and to test out their ideas.  Thus, they are also more eager to learn.
• Mandatory military service is also cited as a contributor to innovation.  Virtually all Israelis (men and women) are required to fulfill military service when they are 18.  Given the continuous and immediate external threats to Israel, young people are given extraordinary responsibility at very young ages.  It is not uncommon to find 20-year-olds in positions of leadership in the IDF.  Creating a new business likely seems tame when compared to preserving your physical existence.
• Israel’s multicultural society invites diversity and different viewpoints, each sharpening the knowledge and skills of others.  Creativity and innovation flow from the wide range of ideas and willingness to collaborate.
• Israel views entrepreneurial failure as an educational experience rather than a badge of dishonor.  Risk-taking is rewarded rather than punished, and is highly encouraged.
• Israeli parents (particularly Jewish mothers!) demand and expect success for their children.  They set the bar high then help them achieve lofty goals.  The involvement of entire families and the encouragement of parents is a high value in Israel, unlike the US and many other nations.
• Israel’s very struggle for survival throughout history has created a foundation for hard work, dedication, risk-taking and determination to succeed.

Personally, I believe there is one other reason, perhaps more significant than any of those: the Jews are God’s chosen people, and He has promised to be their God and to shepherd them.  As a father longs to give good gifts to his children, how much more the Father God of Israel longs to give good gifts to His chosen ones!  (Matthew 7:11)

For a look at some of Israel’s top innovations that are being used or marketed worldwide, click here.

For many reasons, the world needs Israel.  Technology and innovation are simply a couple of reasons.  Let’s be faithful friends of Israel by praying for the peace of Jerusalem (as commanded in Psalm 122), by blessing Israel (as commanded in Genesis 12:3), and by speaking up and taking a stand with Israel.