On Tuesday, August 18, Israel Bonds hosted a virtual “Evening of Celebration of Heritage and Unity.” A global audience participated via Zoom, Facebook Live, YouTube and the Jewish Broadcasting Services.

Thousands from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil participated in this first in a series of Israel Bonds virtual programs. U.S. and International Chairman of the Board Howard Goldstein remarked, “Wherever we live, whatever we do, wherever we are, our global family is brought together as one in appreciation to each and every one of you.“

“I want to thank all the team at Israel Bonds for what you are doing this year,” began Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Seventy years ago, David Ben Gurion appeared at New York’s Madison Square Garden and launched the inaugural issues of Israel Bonds. Even Israel’s first prime minister could not have foreseen the extraordinary success of Israel Bonds.”

Netanyahu continued, “Israel Bonds has played a crucial part in supporting the development of Israel’s economy. The finance ministry’s expanded 2020 goal is $1.7 billion. I know these are not ordinary times. It’s a period of global economic uncertainty. Israel Bonds staff have been forced to work remotely. Despite this, we have already exceeded $1.2 billion for 2020, typically the result of a normal year’s effort. Well, I am not surprised.”

Netanyahu acknowledged Israel bonds’ leadership, commitment, dedication and passion for the state of Israel. “You’ve been with us for decades, in good times and in bad. You’ve assisted us in overcoming economic challenges. You’ve helped the economy to become the amazing success story it is. Bonds played a crucial role in the founding years of Israel’s economy. We changed Israel’s economy, and we made it a free-market economy of first-rate innovators, a startup nation of the world. We’re not as dependent as in previous days, but we are dependent on the ‘bond’ between the Jewish people and the state of Israel. Israel Bonds, in addition to its economic role, also keeps those ‘bonds’ alive. I want to thank you for all that. Keep it up!”

The featured speaker was Israel Maimon, president and CEO of Israel Bonds. “I was government secretary for Prime Ministers Sharon and Olmert. Benjamin Netanyahu and Shimon Peres were cabinet ministers,” noted Maimon. “Labor, Likud, Kadimah Party? Israel’s political consensus is not easy to come by. I was working with them in one room. For Israel Bonds, they spoke in one voice. As the prime minister stated, Israel needs us, our solidarity, our unity and our investments.”

Ron Dermer, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., outlined Israel Bonds’ role in the UAE deal. Quoting the prime minister, he said, “No one makes peace with the weak. They make peace with the strong.”

He continued, “Israel Bonds made Israel stronger by investing in Israel decade after decade. Investing in our development not only strengthens our economy. We have the resources to invest in our own security because you were there for us. You were there for us in good times and in bad, in lean years and fat years, making sure we could develop into the remarkable global technological power that Israel is today. For three generations, Israel Bonds has been partners with us. Because of that strength, just last week, an Arab state recognized it’s good to make peace with Israel. It’s good for us, it’s good for the region and for the world.”

Israeli journalist Alon Ben-David expressed, “These are very exciting times for us in Israel. The peace agreement, between Israel and the UAE, is a major breakthrough for Israel and its acceptance in the region. A leading Sunni country exposed its very intimate relations with Israel and is willing to sign a peace agreement. We haven’t had that in 25 years.”

Ben-David added, “With its influence across its borders, we believe the UAE will not stay alone. We’re expecting more nations to follow, such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Sudan. Israeli acceptance in the region, becoming part of a Sunni-Israel axis, counters the Shiite axis, led by Iran.”

Ben-David expects a “declaration of principles” signing ceremony in Washington before the November election. “This is a very exciting moment in the history of our country. We are very hopeful that the coming year in Israel will be even more exciting, with more regional breakthroughs and support of the administration in the U.S.”

Additional information on Israel Bonds can be found at https://www.israelbonds.com/Home.aspx.