In meetings between foreign investors, Israelis, long-time and budding entrepreneurs, and innovators in the last few weeks in the US, one could often hear the following sentence: "The protest against the Israeli justice system reform is interesting and we are following what is happening in Israel, but business is business."

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It is very difficult for Israelis who arrived on the east coast of the "Land of Opportunity" to detach themselves from what has been going on in the last months in Israel; however, when it comes to doing business, political opinions are usually left outside the door.

It is customary to think of Israeli exports in terms of goods and services. The excellent defense industries that have given Israel a world-class name in air defense systems, missiles, protective measures, and the like have been presented to the world in recent weeks at the Paris Air Show. However, Israel is also a considerable exporter of high-tech, mainly to the huge American market. The export of high-tech from Israel to the US constitutes a main pillar of the total export of goods and business services to the US.

As of 2021, high-tech accounted for approximately 63% of Israel's total exports to the US. According to this data, high-tech exports from Israel to the United States experienced double-digit growth of 33% in 2021 and reached a volume of approximately $23 billion.

Video: Moshe Ben Simhon / Israeli high-tech workers protest

The connection between the Israeli companies, both new and well-established, was created thanks to the extensive activities of the Israel Export Institute and the Foreign Trade Administration. The institute is a non-profit association whose goal is to support and assist Israelis and those interested in exporting by building capabilities in developing business relationships, collaborations, and strategic partnerships with foreign entities.

Since its establishment in 1958, the institute has been a home for thousands of Israeli exporters and every year provides them with a variety of services and tools for international success. Establishing business relationships, information and consulting services, participation in international exhibitions and a variety of activities are just some of the assistance tools provided by the organization to Israeli companies.

Anat Katz serves as the Israeli economic minister to North America and is in close contact with the institute in Israel. One might imagine that the American dream for Israeli entrepreneurs is only in the Big Apple – or perhaps also Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, or Miami; however, one of the biggest hubs for Israeli companies in the US is actually New Jersey. With a large Israeli community and families who moved here alongside those who are already second-generation New Jersey residents –the largest hub of Israeli businesses is maintained in front of the touristy and glittering Manhattan.

One of the reasons for this is the recognition of the potential of the state of New Jersey. The state has created a unique representative whose role is to handle and promote business and economic relations with only one foreign country - Israel.

Andrew Gross, executive director of the New Jersey-Israel Commission, explained in an interview with Israel Hayom, together with Mark S. Levenson, the co-chair of the New York-New Jersey Israel Commission (and a well-established figure in the New Jersey-Israel ties), about the special relationship that as of lately has been bearing fruits.

"Many Israeli families come here not only because of the cost of living but actually mainly because of the community created in New Jersey", Gross explains the reasons Israelis choose to go to New Jersey instead of New York. "We are not coming to Israel to take any business or company, but here they get a framework that gives them the option to do business with North America and the East Coast." Minister of the Economy Nir Barkat held a host of meetings in New York with the CEO of the investment bank Goldman Sachs; the chief economist of the largest bank in the US and the world in terms of market value, JP Morgan; the Amazon AI team; Nasdaq President and CEO Adena T. Friedman; and with the president of Jefferies investment bank, Brian Friedman, and the bank's executives, in New York.

The minister presented the Israeli investment trends and talked with them about possible future forecasts for the Israeli economy.

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After a tense few weeks, a solution was found last week to the crisis looming over the flights to Dubai, and Israeli and Emirati planes have been allowed to continue flying to Dubai in high numbers. Demand is rising, as this is peak season in Dubai, and Israel Hayom had a chance to visit one of the most exciting places in the world.

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Since the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020 Israelis have had a new window of possibilities open just a short, three-hour flight away. Israeli airlines secured approval to fly over Saudi Arabia – albeit only en route to the Emirates – thus significantly reducing the time it takes to travel eastward.

The big winner is the UAE, chiefly Dubai and the capital of Abu Dhabi, which are the economic, political and cultural engines of the princely Gulf state. Its major airlines, Emirates and Etihad Airways, which are based in the UAE, allow Israelis to enjoy a wide variety of travel options to the country, as does low-cost airline Fly Dubai, which currently operates three daily flights.

Dubai hotels are known for their pampering opulence, and some of them are included on the list of the best hotels in the world. Alongside luxury hotels and large chains, there are also concept and boutique hotels, and a long list of independent hotels catering to all different budgets. The transportation that links the airport and the hotel areas throughout the city, close to selected business and tourist attractions, makes the city extremely easy to navigate.

Although it seems like every other Israeli has already visited Dubai, the city allows everyone to find their place. Young couples, families with children, businesspeople, and the elderly – the city offers something for everyone.

An abundance of top restaurants and local food, with prices like those in Israel, open a new world of flavors for the Israeli tourist. Dubai's location between east and west provides the city with a major advantage in terms of importing the finest fresh ingredients, alongside Western cooking techniques and the most splendidly equipped and luxurious kitchens where the international chefs prepare their food.

It's important to note that Dubai is an extremely safe destination. Strict rules and increased enforcement allow holidaymakers, visitors, and businesspeople to move freely and to feel extremely safe on city streets at all hours of the day and night. Personal safety in Dubai is among the highest in the world, and this applies to men and women alike.

The Ain Dubai Ferris wheel on the outskirts of Palm Islands offers an impressive panoramic view of the beautiful, crisp beach; underneath is a spacious promenade and small mall (by Dubai's standards), including a range of international stores. This is a magical location, a great place to finish the day watching the romantic sunset and to see the night fall on Dubai from the sloping towers.

Burj Khalifa, which has become a symbol of the city, has a range of activities and attractions in its vicinity, like the Sky Views Edge Walk on an open ledge on the hotel's roof; while the Glass Slide at a height of 200 meters above ground level throws its visitors into an experience that you usually see on TV shows like The Amazing Race.

Dubai is a wonder in the desert, a complete city that was planned down to the last detail on the shores of the Gulf, with sparkling skyscrapers that assemble an impressive skyline, and meticulously planned, stunning artificial islands; but no visit to Dubai can be complete without experiencing its hypnotizing desert. A range of local companies offer half-day and day trips in the heart of the desert. Most companies organize a hotel pick-up in the late afternoon, and after a journey of around 30 minutes, you will find yourselves gazing upon the reddish sands. The air-conditioning vehicle gives way to a jeep that travels directly to the heart of the dunes created from clean and pleasant sand that invites you to lay down and seek repose from your daily troubles. At the end of the journey, after a few stops on the way, including a sip of sweet tea flavored with cinnamon, you will arrive at a meticulously tidy Bedouin tent for dinner and local desert folklore.

The UAE invests considerable resources in space technology and takes an active part in the financing, planning, and research of space exploration – something that is a source of national pride. The Infinity des Lumières exhibition, located in the heart of the massive Dubai Mall, provides a spectacular experience and a 3D presentation on the walls of a beautiful and darkened hall, covering the entire history of man's exploration of the universe. Taking your time to explore the exhibition is well worth it, as you can learn about the planets in the solar system, the International Space Station, and the satellites and spaceships that fly through the atmosphere, as well as those that have traveled as far as Mars.

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And, if you thought you had seen it all, Dubai will surprise you again. It is dynamic and reviving, and continues to develop in every direction. Soon, a twin Palm Islands will be established alongside the one that already exists; at the end of February there was the celebratory opening of the impressive Museum of the Future – a brilliant heart-stopping and beautiful monument that hurls its visitors into the near future, and there are many other surprises for the tourists who visit Dubai soon.

Avishai Shpizberg was a guest of Dubai Tourism.

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