I am not familiar with the balance sheets of Israeli banks. However, it was mainly those banks that generated their funding from the international capital markets that needed bailing out. Israeli banks have not relied on the wholesale capital markets as there have been enough deposits on their balance sheets to then lend out to people. It is the same of Asian banks

Your economic miracle built on the massacres, theft,and continued oppressive occupation.... All of this booming situation is temporary and transient, if you do not work right, which I think you know very well what must be done so that there is a real and lasting prosperity in our region... You Shouldn't be deceived by the outside appearance

There are so many poor people here. Most do not make a decent salary. The money and success seem to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. And if things are so great, why are so many young people going abroad for jobs??? There is plenty of room for improvement here!!

You just refuse to allow yourself to gain an education and you prefer your hardbitten and ignorant beliefs as opposed to objective inquiry. Nothing can be done with people like you. Seems like I've wasted my time!

You want to see poor, come to South Africa. we have real poor - and at the same time all the coal and gold in the world. If Israel's poor find it hard, "to make a decent salary" its because every economy needs poor, middle clas, and rich. as a strong economic powerhouse Israel has all 3 levels, from poor to ultra billionairs. plz keep in mind that there are no children going hungry in Israel... and if there are its because they are ashamed of asking for help - there are so many diff charities.

While everything is indeed very globalized, the general failure usually begin at a local level. In that loans were given to the wrong people who were obviously not going to pay it back. In the US and the rest of world these bad loans were handed out. In Israel there were stiff regulations that stopped these bad loans. Also the fact that many investments weren't done on speculative aspects (like hoping that they get a mortgage payment from someone who obviously shouldn't have gotten one originally), but on things like hi-tech and biotech industries.

Especially when measured against the half-assed mess that Arab states present after a no. of decades.

we give you 2 weeks.

So we're all earning $30K a year on average? Or 110K Shekels a year (9K shekels bruto per month)? BULL! The average Israeli is earning 6K a month and this is considered a good wage. Many people earn the minimum of 4K per month. This just goes to show how unequally the benefits of economic growth are distributed in Israel. Leave Tel Aviv and its suburbs and see what it's like in Dimona, Sderot, Umm-al-Fahm, or Bnei Barak. Hell go to certain neighbourhoods in Bat Yam, Herzeliya and Netenya. You'll see grinding poverty and working poor. Don't give me this crap Plocker. If we all work a little harder some more Sabra's will get even filthier rich for their 4th luxury apartment in one of the ugly sky scrapers defacing the Tel Aviv skyline. And all you American's who don't know squat about this country. Go visit the cities I mentioned above before you comment "Israel's great. There's no poor people there." Some punk from a Birth Right trip said that to me once when I was visiting relatives in the Old Country.

So Israel's economy is doing okay(ish) while other countries are dealing with a tough recession. And now the Israelies think they're on a real winner and they have a bright future! Ha things couldn't be further from the truth! While many western nations are currently struggling with the recession this is only a temporary set back and will pass. All the western countries will return to economic growth over the next couple of years (be it some will get there quicker than others). And then thats it! Their problems are over, nothing more to worry about! But that is not the case for Israel. The future for Israel is very dark indeed. What good is it bragging about an okay economy when that country or economy is not going to exist in 50 years from now? How is this so called good economy going to cope with a growing internal arab population who hates the state of Israel and a shrinking Jewish population percentage. How will the economy hold out in the long term when surrounded by millions of hostile arabs that are absolutely bent on destroying Israel. Its not going to work out, everybody knows that Israel is an unsustainable state. Already Israel is starting to lose American support (i.e. Obama) and when that's gone and Israel is left on its own in a world where everybody hates it, well then its end game. I would much rather live in a stable european country like Sweden than an on-its-knees state like Israel which is living on borrowed time. So i dont see the point or merit in talking up the Israeli economy because things look pretty bleak to me!

If your prognosis is right, and Israel will fall, you will be the next. Irish lost their culture and language and prefer to speak on the language of occupier. You are cowards and not able to win any war. British need to prevent you of killing each other and your religious believes are based on preaching of your pedophile priests. You hate Israel because Israel is opposite of you. Israel is on the rise and you are on decline. Jewish people restored ancient state and proudly speak their ancient language. Arabs will be nothing after oil is over in next decades, but your country already introduce sharia along with your masters in UK. As of January 1st, Ireland has enacted an atavistic law that makes “blasphemy” punishable by a fine of up to $35,000. It’s amazing that a civilized country in 2010 is deliberately putting in place laws from the Dark Ages. And back to economy, you are in trouble currently along with Spain and Greece, so please shut for time being.

Sever Plocker talks nonsense .Israeli economy wonderful for who ?? About 20 families that's all .You forget Tzefat with its hundreds of beggars and soup kitchens and grinding poverty .Load of crap,but don't tell the americans because that will ruin the Disneyland Holy Land image they have in their heads.

juan solana (#10) writes, "All this on the background of over 100 billions from Germany, over 200 billions from USA, besides the billions from Switzerland, Belgium.. and sooo many other europeans countries... and still counting!" First, it's closer to 100 billion than 200 billion from the US, and that aid didn't start until 1979 or thereabouts. Jews going back to the turn of the last century began reclaiming the wilderness, swamps and deserts that neither the Arabs nor the Turks that administered them ever did much with. Jewish activity was the conomic magnet that drew in Arabs from surrounding lands and as far as the Maghreb - folks who today call themselves Palestinians. Second, the masses of Jewish refugees who entered the country did so without the personal resources that their former governments had seized from them. They achieved success despite that. So the ignorant Swede (#1) can stop talking about "theft". Third, Israel is not the only beneficiary of foreign aid - Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinians and Lebanon collectively get *more* than Israel. And lets not forget the TRILLIONS that the Arab countries of OPEC have taken in - yet all have a GDP per capita lower than Israel!

...will be when they can say to the US, "no thanks, we don't need your $3 billion a year anymore. Keep it." That's when Israel can truly feel proud of their economic accomplishments.

Very interesting that one idiot let people free their ignorance about Sweden. Sweden is very much less muslim than Israel and the israeli muslim pop grows much faster. Sweden is a very much succsesstory and Swedish companies like IKEA and HoM people die for here in Israel. I dont think any Swede or any other westerner whom have been to Israel envies the "wealth" of Israel. That said there is a lot of potential in this country and that is why it grows! But most important thing is to free the economy. Israel is very much a cartell-economy with few companies dominating which leads to lousy service, bad competition and high prices. Increasing real competition in all areas would lead to dramatic increase in the standard of living here aswell as true economic growth spurred by increased efficency..

What a delusional rant you make! You really are not in touch with reality. But to set you straight I will point out some facts to you to alleviate your confusion! You say that Ireland is an occupied country. This is completely untrue and highlights your ignorance of basic European geography. The Republic of Ireland is a completely sovereign and free state within the EU. You say that we are cowards and not able to win any war. Well first of all how are we cowards, what makes you say that? Explain! And we are a peaceful country we don’t start wars and are not involved in wars. The only war we were ever part of was the Irish war of Independence (1916-1921) and we won that war so that totally contradicts your statement and also highlights your ignorance of basic European history. Nobody in Ireland kills anybody, I suppose you are referring to Northern Ireland but absolute peace has been achieved there and violence is a thing of the past. This comment highlights your ignorance of current affairs. Ireland is now a secular country and little notice is taken of what priests have to say these days. In fact priests in Ireland are having a very difficult time at the moment because of the actions of a small percentage within their church. This comment highlights how distasteful you are. You say that Israel is on the rise and Ireland is on the decline! Ha, this is the most ridiculous of all your statements! I want you to really think about this one because you don’t seem able to understand simple things and this is quite clear. Who do you really think has a brighter future? A peaceful country in western Europe that has many friends and is a member of the EU or an overcrowded state in the middle east surrounded by millions of hostile Arabs that are about to get a nuclear weapon and which is hated around the world. Come on now, let’s be mature, it’s very obvious which nation has the more secure/brighter future ahead of them. You must try to be realistic in your comments if you want to be taken seriously. Finally, I want to point out that you are making completely false accusations about the religious law that was introduced in Ireland on January first of this year. That law has nothing to do with blasphemy. It is a law to stop inciting of religious hatred from some people on the fringes of our society. The law basically says that no person can stand outside a mosque, synagogue or church and spew hateful, spiteful, degrading or (yes) even ‘blasphemous’ remarks or propaganda while people of that creed worship in order to create disorder or dissent. It’s a good law and I fully support it as I believe every person in Ireland should be allowed to peacefully practice their own religion. Not that the law will ever really be needed all that much but its put there to ensure democracy is upheld and people are always allowed to worship whatever way they want. You really, really, really need to get your facts rights before you say anything (because if not it makes you look stupid!!!). And back to economy, we expect growth to return to the Irish economy in the second half of this year, so please shut it as you really don’t know what you’re talking about.

Not theft.We were kicked out of Western AND Arab lands and had ALL our assets confiscated.Some EU countries made reparations. NOT ONE SINGLE ARAB country made reparations.If this is theft in your eyes, in ours it is reparations from the Umma. .So our hard work and brain power and dedication in our homeland has done it. Not theft but reparations and hard work.

This besieged little country (yes tiny-the size of New Jersey)is second only to the u.s. in new technology start-up companies.Ahead of: Germany Japan U.K.. France and any other country you can think of including,of course,Sweden.

I am also surprised over the economic stability in Israel. That the distribution of wealth is not working is a political problem of a week labour/left wing in the society, it is of cause of paramount importance. I am touched by the amount of interest Sweden is getting. Our economy is very well, thank you, check the international ratings. We are struggling with the chore of treating our ethnic minorities (around 20% of the population, from all over the world with a domination from Finland) with respect and equal rights in practice likewise to implement equal rights fore women (same salary and distribution in high rang positions). We have a problem of psychiatric well being and it is correct as stated that around 1/3 of medical treatment is needed on psychiatric health. It is well in line with international investigations of need. There has been a shift from somatic to psychiatric health problems the latest decades, possibly because of better medical knowledge. The practice to grant a minimum living standard to all its citizens is a long and proud tradition in Sweden, in full support from the most rightwing branch to the extreme left wing in politics, because real poverty is seen as degrading an inhuman. Sweden once fierce and inclined to war is now and has been for hundreds of years inclined to solve its disputes within and with other states thru legal and political negotiations. We live in peaceful coexistence with all our fellow counties and with great respect for example for Ireland because it’s magnificent economical endeavour the last decades, giving us inspiration and ides. I truly wish Israel well in its work towards equality, work to permit peaceful coexistence with the coming Palestine, Arab states, European Union, US, and the rest of 190-something UN member states.

Strange, so lengthy reply, but avoiding important points of my post. You are Jewish hater, sir. That's exactly the reason you are posting here on Zionist paper. You hardly find Israelis interested in Irish papers, but "neutral" Irish preaching jews all the time and everywhere. Before you suggest to learn the history, learn yours first, especially WW2 Nazi period: http://searchwarp.com/swa88540.htm In contrast to Germany, it didn't became the center of gravity in Irish educational system. I doubt you ever been to Israel. I know Israel and Ireland very good. There are many Irish pubs in Israel and people are open minded there. In contrast to bleak Jewish fate in your country: http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2009/03/rampant-anti-semitism-in-ireland.html Your future is Islam, say good buy to Jameson and Guinness in 2 decades, cowards calling themselves "a peaceful nation". BTW, I have Irish fiends and not of all them dumbs as you are.

My first comment was censored for some reason, so I'll try, more briefly, again. I really don't understand what you want. Why are you bothering to read an article in an Israeli website and then brag how you're country is here to stay while Israel is a country with no future? You sound like a little brat screaming - "na na na, you're all going to die and I'm not". What's your point exactly? are you by any chance of a palestinian origin? If you're a christian, then I think you have a lot of nerve telling us Israelis that we're not going to survive, taking into account that the reason Israel was established in the first place was to provide security to jews that were persecuted and discriminated against by European countries such as yours. I have a feeling you won't be very much happy if the millions of jews living now in Israel will flood your, and other European countries in case something, god forbid, happens to Israel. I's assume you'd be quite happy not to see us jews in your country, so I really don't understand why the possibility of Israel's destruction seems like such a cheerful option to you. YET - please don't censor, I don't think there's anything in my comment that is outrageous...

I gladly join you my Friend !