Eli Hurvitz Economic Conference Held in Jerusalem (photo essay)

By BJLIfe/Sharon Altshul
Posted on 06/23/22

Jerusalem, Israel - June 23, 2022 - The Eli Hurvitz Conference held at the Orient Isrotel Hotel in Jerusalem, Israel, began with greetings by President Isaac Herzog on June 21, 2022.  The President opened the conference, “Eli Hurvitz, may he rest in peace, for whom the conference is named and whom I had the privilege to know well and love dearly, served as the chairman of the public commission that in 2008 published the Strategic Vision for Israel 2028. At that time, I was a member of the government, serving as the Minister for Social Affairs and Social Services, and I will never forget Eli Hurvitz’s fascinating overview."

The Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy and Society, formerly the Caesarea Economic Policy Planning Forum, is regarded as Israel's most influential economic conference. The Conference for 29 years, has served as a crossroads where public discourse and professional knowledge in economics merge to shape policies to benefit society.

Over two very full days, dozens of speakers and panel discussions on various aspects of the economy were held, presenters included Prof. Amir Yaron, Governor of the Bank of Israel. In his remarks, the Governor addressed the macroeconomic state of Israel’s economy, focusing on the hi-tech sector and comparing the sector’s structure in Israel at the beginning of the 2000s with its structure today. He also spoke about inflationary developments in Israel and internationally and emphasized that “while the inflationary environment in Israel is considerably lower than its equivalents around the world, this is a global process, stemming partly from supply factors and continued disruption to supply chains, but also partly due to local inflationary processes, in response to which monetary policy is more effective. High inflation harms certainty and economic activity and harms more vulnerable population groups disproportionately. The Monetary Commission at the Bank of Israel is determined to apply a policy that will return inflation to its target levels.”

The list of government ministers, Members of the Knesset, and influential Israelis arriving each day to speak at the conference was broadcast online on IDI's website included Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and MK Nir Barkat. Minister of Economy and Industry Orna Barbivai was stopped after her remarks at the conference with questions about the possibility of elections.

Topics explored included Haredi and Arab populations and raising income in the areas away from the central hi-tech areas.

Yohanan Plesner the President of the Israel Democracy Institute and former Bank of Israel Governor Karnit Flug who has served as Vice-President of IDI since 2019 led the annual conference again this year.