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  Seattle to be first US city to divest from Israel?

  http://mavericknewsnetwork.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/sea...
  128 days ago in Maverick News Media MNM · Authority: 64

  The city of Seattle may have an initiative on its ballot in November that would require it to divest from its investments in Israeli corporations. Initiative 97 would prohibit the city of Seattle from "investing its pension funds in corporations that benefit from the Iraq war, or companies that provide material support to the Israeli government within the so-called “occupied territories.” Seattle native and Israeli investment adviser Aaron Katsman explains. Why the connection? Is it because the sponsors were worried about human rights violations that they believe both Israeli and U.S. forces are committing? Couldn’t be, could it? After all, I didn’t see any reference to other countries in the region who are role models when it comes to human rights. For example, with all the freedoms they enjoy, we all know that women are living it up in some countries in the mid-east. I even heard that they are now allowed to uncover the bridges of their noses as well as their eyes! But seriously, I find the sponsors of the measure to be an interesting group. You have the ANSWER Coalition, SNOW, the Palestine Solidarity Committee and the Green Party. The Green Party? When I was discussing this whole issue with my partner Zack Miller, he said,” Isn’t that ironic. Israel happens to be the world leader in GreenTech, CleanTech, WaterTech, and virtually every other environmentally friendly technology that’s being developed. What are the Green’s thinking?” According to the Seattle-PI: ” The measure would not restrict city investments in The Boeing Co., backers said. Rather, it takes aim specifically at Halliburton Holding Co. and Caterpillar Inc.” Hum… Halliburton must be as a punishment to VP Cheney. But why not Boeing? They do work with Israeli defense company Elbit Systems (ESLT)? What about Microsoft (MSFT)? The software giant has purchased 7-8 Israeli hi-tech start-ups over the last few years and just announced the launch of an R&D center in Israel. The fact is that pension funds have a fiduciary responsibility to do their best to make as much money as possible for their clients, period. Over the last few years investing in Israel has been one of the most profitable places in the world to invest. If these groups want to make a political stand, let them stand out in front of the Federal building on 2nd Ave. and protest. You don’t like the Iraq policy, vote for Obama. But don’t force money managers to invest in companies that they believe will produce inferior returns and impact the retirement of thousands and thousands of your neighbors, to fulfill your own political agenda. In any event, divesting won’t help. Without knowing it, we all use Israeli ingenuity every single day of our lives. From voice mail (developed by Comverse), to instant messaging (ICQ), to the firewall that sits on your computer (Checkpoint), to the generic drugs you are taking (Teva Pharmaceuticals) and to the cell phone you just spoke on. Like it or not, your life is powered by Israel. If you are against the war in Iraq, drop the divestment idea and pick up a picket sign instead. If Israel is your problem, then be consistent; start divesting from the Israeli innovation that you use, unknowingly, each and every day. I would have added Intel to Aaron's list. That processor that's running your computer right now? Guess where it's made.... Read the whole thing. Cross-posted to Israel Matzav.
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  Will Seattle Be First U.S. City to Divest From Israel?

  http://zionism-israel.com/israel_news/2008/05/will-seattle-b...
  131 days ago in http://zionism-israel.com/israel_news · Authority: 43

  Will Seattle Be First U.S. City to Divest From Israel? Written by: Aaron Katsman | May 22, 2008 Aaron Katsman www.IsraelNewsletter.com If "Initiative 97″ makes it on the ballot in the fall, citizens of Seattle will be asked to approve a measure that would prohibit the city from investing its pension funds in corporations that benefit from the Iraq war, or companies that provide material support to the Israeli government within the so-called "occupied territories." The opposition to the initiative is being led by StandWithUs.org. It strikes me as a bit odd that a measure that seems to be intended to protest the U.S. Iraq policy also includes divestment from Israel. Why the connection? Is it because the sponsors were worried about human rights violations that they believe both Israeli and U.S. forces are committing? Couldn't be, could it? After all, I didn't see any reference to other countries in the region who are role models when it comes to human rights. For example, with all the freedoms they enjoy, we all know that women are living it up in some countries in the mid-east. I even heard that they are now allowed to uncover the bridges of their noses as well as their eyes! But seriously, I find the sponsors of the measure to be an interesting group. You have the ANSWER Coalition, SNOW, the Palestine Solidarity Committee and the Green Party. The Green Party? When I was discussing this whole issue with my partner Zack Miller, he said," Isn't that ironic. Israel happens to be the world leader in GreenTech, CleanTech, WaterTech, and virtually every other environmentally friendly technology that's being developed. What are the Green's thinking?" According to the Seattle-PI: " The measure would not restrict city investments in The Boeing Co., backers said. Rather, it takes aim specifically at Halliburton Holding Co. and Caterpillar Inc." Hum… Halliburton must be as a punishment to VP Cheney. But why not Boeing? They do work with Israeli defense company Elbit Systems (ESLT)? What about Microsoft (MSFT)? The software giant has purchased 7-8 Israeli hi-tech start-ups over the last few years and just announced the launch of an R&D center in Israel. The fact is that pension funds have a fiduciary responsibility to do their best to make as much money as possible for their clients, period. Over the last few years investing in Israel has been one of the most profitable places in the world to invest. If these groups want to make a political stand, let them stand out in front of the Federal building on 2nd Ave. and protest. You don't like the Iraq policy, vote for Obama. But don't force money managers to invest in companies that they believe will produce inferior returns and impact the retirement of thousands and thousands of your neighbors, to fulfill your own political agenda. In any event, divesting won't help. Without knowing it, we all use Israeli ingenuity every single day of our lives. From voice mail (developed by Comverse), to instant messaging (ICQ), to the firewall that sits on your computer (Checkpoint), to the generic drugs you are taking (Teva Pharmaceuticals) and to the cell phone you just spoke on. Like it or not, your life is powered by Israel. If you are against the war in Iraq, drop the divestment idea and pick up a picket sign instead. If Israel is your problem, then be consistent; start divesting from the Israeli innovation that you use, unknowingly, each and every day. Disclosure: Author's fund has a position in ESLT, TEVA, CHKP, CMVT.pk He has no position in any other stock mentioned as of 5/22/08. Please see our Disclaimer HERE. NEW! Introducing Israel Opportunity Investor, our monthly subscription-only newsletter. Stay ahead of the game and make smart decisions in Israel stocks. Go here to learn more. Aaron Katsman is Managing Editor of the Israel Opportunity Investor newsletter. He is lead portfolio manager for the Israel Growth Portfolio and Managing Director of America Israel Investment Associates, LLC. For more information, go to www.israelnewsletter.com or call 1-888-327-6179, or email aaron@profile-financial.com.
• 

  Seattle to be first US city to divest from Israel?

  http://israelmatzav.blogspot.com/2008/05/seattle-to-be-first...
  132 days ago in Israel Matzav · Authority: 353

  The city of Seattle may have an initiative on its ballot in November that would require it to divest from its investments in Israeli corporations. Initiative 97 would prohibit the city of Seattle from "investing its pension funds in corporations that benefit from the Iraq war, or companies that provide material support to the Israeli government within the so-called “occupied territories.” Seattle native and Israeli investment adviser Aaron Katsman explains. Why the connection? Is it because the sponsors were worried about human rights violations that they believe both Israeli and U.S. forces are committing? Couldn’t be, could it? After all, I didn’t see any reference to other countries in the region who are role models when it comes to human rights. For example, with all the freedoms they enjoy, we all know that women are living it up in some countries in the mid-east. I even heard that they are now allowed to uncover the bridges of their noses as well as their eyes! But seriously, I find the sponsors of the measure to be an interesting group. You have the ANSWER Coalition, SNOW, the Palestine Solidarity Committee and the Green Party. The Green Party? When I was discussing this whole issue with my partner Zack Miller, he said,” Isn’t that ironic. Israel happens to be the world leader in GreenTech, CleanTech, WaterTech, and virtually every other environmentally friendly technology that’s being developed. What are the Green’s thinking?” According to the Seattle-PI: ” The measure would not restrict city investments in The Boeing Co., backers said. Rather, it takes aim specifically at Halliburton Holding Co. and Caterpillar Inc.” Hum… Halliburton must be as a punishment to VP Cheney. But why not Boeing? They do work with Israeli defense company Elbit Systems (ESLT)? What about Microsoft (MSFT)? The software giant has purchased 7-8 Israeli hi-tech start-ups over the last few years and just announced the launch of an R&D center in Israel. The fact is that pension funds have a fiduciary responsibility to do their best to make as much money as possible for their clients, period. Over the last few years investing in Israel has been one of the most profitable places in the world to invest. If these groups want to make a political stand, let them stand out in front of the Federal building on 2nd Ave. and protest. You don’t like the Iraq policy, vote for Obama. But don’t force money managers to invest in companies that they believe will produce inferior returns and impact the retirement of thousands and thousands of your neighbors, to fulfill your own political agenda. In any event, divesting won’t help. Without knowing it, we all use Israeli ingenuity every single day of our lives. From voice mail (developed by Comverse), to instant messaging (ICQ), to the firewall that sits on your computer (Checkpoint), to the generic drugs you are taking (Teva Pharmaceuticals) and to the cell phone you just spoke on. Like it or not, your life is powered by Israel. If you are against the war in Iraq, drop the divestment idea and pick up a picket sign instead. If Israel is your problem, then be consistent; start divesting from the Israeli innovation that you use, unknowingly, each and every day. I would have added Intel to Aaron's list. That processor that's running your computer right now? Guess where it's made....
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  Will Seattle Be First U.S. City to Divest From Israel?

  http://www.straightstocks.com/current-market-news/will-seatt...
  138 days ago in Stock Market News & stocks to watch from StraightStocks · Authority: 104

  Will Seattle Be First U.S. City to Divest From Israel? Aaron Katsman Writes:
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  Israel at 60: A Very Hot Investment Destination

  http://www.straightstocks.com/foreign-markets/israel-at-60-a...
  155 days ago in Stock Market News & stocks to watch from StraightStocks · Authority: 104

  Israel at 60: A Very Hot Investment Destination Aaron Katsman Writes:
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  Bitesize Sunday: Weekend Reading on VC, Startups and Beyond

  http://www.vccafe.com/bitesize-sunday-weekend-reading-on-vc-...
  156 days ago in Venture Capital Cafe · Authority: 43

  I’m testing the new version of Mozilla Firefox 3 beta 5 (you’ll be amazed how much difference there is with beta 1). Even though the speed is dramatically better, it is no excuse for having so many browser windows open. Therefore, just before I close all, below are a few of the links that have been keeping my browser busy: Venture Capital Industry * European Venture Investments have been holding steady. The equity kicker shares some stats and TechCrunch UK has a comprehensive list of deals. * The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) says that venture capital performance out-performed the public markets in Q4 2007, but warns that economic troubles might slow growth in 2008. Here’s the full release in pdf format. * Sequoia Capital is seeking to shift strategy in a way that could potentially put it in competition with some of its existing investors. * Israel Opportunity Investor posted an interesting interview with Carmel Sofer,  a partner of Gemini Funds in Israel. Miscellaneuous - Macro level news and useful links * Economic stats on Israel for its sixtieth birthday, put together by IOI. * Businessweek ranks Israel among the top 10 hotspots in innovation, as leader in technology and pharma.  Globes extracted a nice piece from the report: “Not blessed with oil reserves like many of its neighbors, Israel has constructed a powerful economy from the ground up with a pioneering tech sector, earning it the nickname “Silicon Wadi.” The country boasts the highest concentration of high-tech companies in the world outside of Silicon Valley, the most Nasdaq-listed companies outside North America, pioneering facilities such as the Weizmann Institute of Science and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, and the world’s largest generic drug maker, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA; TASE: TEVA). Israel also hosts research and design centers for Microsoft, IBM, and Intel - as well as Motorola, which first set up shop here back in 1964.” * Always wanted to write in Hebrew but didn’t know how? Ouriel Oyahon posted this link to a virtual kewyord in Hebrew. * Israel and Italy will collaborate on tech projects through a bi-national fund. * Israel moves up in the EuroMoney ranking and placed among the top 40 economies. * I gave an interview to a Finnish Magazine a couple of weeks ago and since then found out that there’s a lot in common between Finland and Israel. * Leviathan Energy, an Israeli based energy company signed a $50 million agreement to provide clean electricity to India. * Cellint, an Israeli startup, offers a system called TrafficSense that delivers travel times, traffic speeds and incident alerts in real-time by tracking anonymous cell phones. * Great post on widgets and their importance during market recession by Michael Jones, CEO of Userplane. Read it. Early Stage Israeli Startups * SeeU.Tv lets users upload user generated content for mobile and offers a 10 cents revenue share for each download. * How do most people search for jobs online in China? Through Meijob, an aggregator created by Israeli entrepreneurs Guy Rotberg and Barak Paz Tal. Check out the press release. * TeleMessage is an Israeli startup that enables sending SMS, Voice and Fax Messages from a PC through a browser plugin for a small fee. Venture Capital Deals in Israel * TheMarker reported that Yuval Neeman, a former VP in Microsoft corp, started InstallFree, a company developing virtualization software that claims to save 35-45% in costs for its enterprise users. * Technospin, a developer of small wind turbines for clean energy generation based in Israel and NY, announced a series A of $8 million, led by 21 Ventures, an angel fund headquartered in New York. * Shlomo Kramer, one of the original founders of CheckPoint, closed $20 million series D for his security startup Imperva (founded in 2002).  Imperva specializes application data security and is considered one of the leaders in the field. The company raised $54 million to date. * Quark secured $27 million from Japanese investors, led by Mitzubishi and Taisho.Quark develops technology for Silencing RNA. The company attempted an IPO in 2007 but failed to raise $75 million. Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

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