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Photo: Eli Algrat
Braverman. A new economic model
Photo: Eli Algrat

Braverman calls for new economic model

Ben Gurion University President and Labor party candidate for Knesset, Prof. Avishay Braverman claims Israel has characteristics of 3rd-world country, warns that professional emigration to United States jeopardizes state's economic prospects

Israel has the characteristics of a third-world country, with a huge gap between a very rich financial elite, and a large lower-class of poor, Professor Avishay Braverman said Wednesday at a financial convention.

 

Braverman - Ben Gurion University president and Labor party candidate for the Knesset - is said to have been promised a senior financial appointment in the government if the party succeeds in upcoming elections.

 

"We may arrive at a situation in which the 10 percent of unemployed in the population find themselves living abroad, not only because of the economic situation, but because of Israel's cultural and moral level as well," Braverman said, blasting Israel's current economic policies.

 

Addressing his audience, the university head said "There are some powerful people sitting here today, and I want them to hear me out."

 

According to Braverman, Israel's main concerns for the future will focus on whether the country is headed for growth, or decline.

 

"Israel can become a technological superpower, I know of no other country where there are so many talented people," Braverman said, but added that "the problem lies in the system."

 

"We have neglected the southern Negev and northern Galilee regions. Over the years I approached the government many times and proposed the Negev be turned into a hi-tech hub, but there were too many bureaucratic obstacles along the way," he said.

 

Amir Peretz and I are determined to bring about a revolution, Braverman stated.

 

"If we want to be a technological global power, we must offer government support to enterprises and do away with bureaucratic obstructions that impede their development. If we fail to do so, the 'brain drain' from Israel to the world's economic empires will continue. We will export qualified, talented people and remain weak," he said.

 

'Wal-Mart employees are like slaves'

 

Braverman went on to comment on former Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "Wal-Mart" economic model.

 

"At Wal-Mart, the employees are like slaves. The model Amir Peretz and I propose is based on the economic paradigm of Norway, Sweden and Finland, where the financial leadership does not only seek for a way to 'take the money and run.' It is possible to generate long-term revenues and at the same time keep wages high," he said.

 

The economics professor also lashed at the privatization trend which swept over Israel in recent years.

 

"When you decide to privatize, you must know how to do it. The state cannot have its assets transferred to the possession of others. The relation between government and private capital is a dangerous thing." he said. 

 

Braverman suggested Israel adopt the model of San Jose and North Carolina in the United States.

 

"The North Carolina and San Jose regions were like the southern town of Beer Sheva 20 years ago. What has changed their situation was correct development and investment in universities, science, industrial parks, research and development at the universities and transportation," he concluded.

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.01.05, 11:25
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