陳寶維 Paul Chen
NTU & JTCA Israel Study Tour Review
Known as the "start-up nation," Israel, with an area only 60% the size of Taiwan and a population about one-third of Taiwan's, has attracted global giants like Google, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft to establish research and development centers. With a prosperous pool of human capital, Israel has become a world-renowned hub for innovation and research. During these two weeks of the start-up study tour, I hope to gradually develop my own set of observations and insights into what efforts they have made and what kind of background has contributed to their success. First impression on Israel
Before departing, I noticed that most people's impression of Israel was "start-up nation" and "war." As a student majoring in international relations, the Middle East has always been a challenging topic for various countries due to ongoing territorial and religious conflicts. When people knew that I was heading to my journey in Israel, friends and family was worried about my personal safety. Some even asked me, "Why do you go to such a dangerous place?" However, through these two weeks of study tour, I have completely dispelled the conventional stereotypes. The security situation within Israel is remarkably good. I felt safe walking the streets at night, and it's common to see both men and women carrying guns, presumably military personnel. These are scenes seldom observed in Taiwan.
Why start-up nation?
“Developing human capital as the foundation of a start-up nation” is the key to Israel's success. Unlike possessing favorable natural conditions or abundant resources, Israel's true asset lies in its people. Many countries have invested in Israel because of its talent pool, despite the relatively challenging land conditions. Compared to Taiwan's education system, where failure is often considered undesirable and to be avoided, the local mindset in Israel views entrepreneurial failure as a normal part of the process. Most people who fail in their ventures simply go on to establish new companies, embodying the spirit of entrepreneurship, which seems deeply ingrained in the hearts of Israelis. Starting a new business is a common thing there.
Additionally, the Israeli government provides certain subsidies for startups. Incubation centers are mainly managed by private entities through public tenders, involving venture capital funds, multinational corporations, or individual investors. Selected startups entering these centers do not need to self-fund, as the government provides 85% of the required capital (up to 3.5 million new shekels). Such generous funding serves as a policy incentive to encourage people to venture into entrepreneurship.
Among the many startups visited during the program, one that left a strong impression on me was Netafim. It is an Israeli irrigation equipment manufacturer, producing drip lines, sprinklers, and micro-emitters. Moreover, the company deals with crop management technologies, including monitoring and control systems, dosing systems, and crop management software, offering a range of services. Given the scarcity of water in the region, each drop is precious, and the effective utilization of water is a significant challenge. During our visit to the agricultural area, I noticed special irrigation pipelines buried in the soil surrounding the plants. Witnessing the wonders of technology in person brought to life what I had learned from geography textbooks before.
Kibbutz — A Utopian-style collective settlement
During this trip, what amazed me was the social structure of Kibbutz. Kibbutz is a pure Jewish settlement that combines Zionism and communism, aiming to establish a utopian collective community. Whether you are a company owner or an ordinary employee, all members share their property and income equally. The community provides free meals, water, electricity, transportation, education, and even healthcare, allowing every member to enjoy an egalitarian lifestyle and have the freedom to join or leave as they wish. In today's society, it is rare to see a communist social structure, especially in a democratic society.
During the visit, the residents personally guided us and showed us facilities like free canteens, laundry rooms, and supermarkets. Each person also receives some pocket money for shopping or occasional outings. Upon hearing this, many people might wonder why anyone would want to work hard if salaries are the same for everyone. However, after chatting with the local guide, I found out that he had already left the Kibbutz. He believed in the privatization of property in capitalism, and that hardworking individuals deserved higher salaries and a better life. In fact, the entire settlement relies heavily on the large company Netafim to sustain their livelihoods, and over time, this kind of collective community has gradually declined. Through Palestine
First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Xue Zhiwei Tan Na Jewish-Taiwanese Cultural Exchange Association and NTU for their support and assistance, which made this trip go very smoothly. During the 14-day journey, we truly traveled around Israel, passing through places that are not easily accessible to the general public, such as the Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, and the West Bank. The process was filled with surprises and tension, especially during a section of the journey where we had to go through security checks to cross from the West Bank into Israeli territory, officially leaving Palestine. It was eye-opening to experience how
challenging and rigorous it is to cross between these two countries. Additionally, we also visited the Western Wall and learned that it is divided into four major sections: the Armenian Quarter, Christian Quarter, Muslim Quarter, and Jewish Quarter. Despite the political factors in the Middle East leading to territorial disputes, the cultural heritage left behind in this land is truly invaluable.
Summary
During this journey, I had the chance to meet classmates from different fields of study. Despite our diverse backgrounds, it was indeed because of these differences that we could offer various perspectives and opinions when facing a question. With the support of the university and JTCA, we all came together, getting to know and understand each other.
Furthermore, this experience allowed us to gain insights into Jewish culture and the country of Israel. Contrary to common misconceptions, we realized that Israel is not as dangerous as often portrayed. On the contrary, during our travels, we felt very safe and found it to be a country suitable for in-depth exploration. Despite unfriendly neighbors, Israel has managed to thrive, and I believe there are valuable lessons Taiwan can learn from and emulate.
"Travel is an escape from ordinary life," and this internship program dispelled the stereotypes about Israel. I got to know a group of ambitious classmates and experienced authentic Jewish culture. This journey has been invaluable. Even though I've been back home for several weeks, I still find myself cherishing the memories through the photos.
