Avi Zimmerman

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May 9, 2021, 2:16 PM

Palestinian and Israeli entrepreneurs share an iftar meal — and a vision

It’s not every day that Israelis living in the West Bank are hosted by Palestinians to an iftar, the traditional fast-breaking meal during Ramadan. Between language barriers and checkpoints, there’s little opportunity for casual interaction among the neighboring populations....

Sep 23, 2020, 11:58 AM

Three steps forward for Abraham Accords’ West Bank detractors

Last week's historic Abraham Accords were nothing short of a diplomatic earthquake that has already begun to reshape the Middle East's strategic landscape while sending aftershocks far beyond. The tectonic shifts that have set this process in motion have...

Aug 9, 2017, 11:52 AM

#HasbaraFail Part 2 — Always being right

The only thing worse than the hasbara activist’s default apologetic posture is his tendency to go to the other extreme. Always-being-right is the ultimate turn-off for today’s audience*. Here are the top three reasons why. Fake news era -- It’s becoming...

Aug 2, 2017, 1:50 PM

#HasbaraFail Part 1 – Always being wrong

We’ve all heard the question; “if Israel is so amazing, why is its hasbara so horrible?” Sadly, there’s no one way to answer that question. This concise eight-part weekly series will address some of the central conceptual constructs that...

Jan 26, 2017, 12:12 PM

Are Jews kosher enough for Islam?

If you’ve had an opportunity to present a TED-style talk, you know that composure is critical to your ability to connect with the audience. But when the environment is not sterile and the audience is the subject of your...

Jan 15, 2017, 12:11 PM

Paris and Hasbara in one hand, two aces in the other

Before dedicating himself to grass-roots peacemaking, Inon Dan Kehati was a semi-professional poker player. An Ashkenazi-Yemenite Israeli from Tel Aviv, his labor intensive stint in Las Vegas taught him a thing or two about unconventional game theory. Ask and...

Dec 20, 2016, 1:15 PM

Is the echo-chamber hollow?

Two weeks from today, we'll step out of our comfort zone and into a new international conversation. Though the decibel level here in the Judea-Samaria echo chamber is intensifying to an unprecedented high, the city of Ariel is adopting...

Dec 24, 2015, 11:31 AM

It’s only terrorism

So, my Whatsapp is flying off the hook. Everyone here is getting a text message asking if they're okay. And now my news app just pushed the confirming headline. Yup - it's another terror attack. This time, it's in...

Jan 29, 2015, 10:46 AM

What’s next for Gaza’s settlers

A community displaced to Ariel by the disengagement, has remained steadfast in their pioneering spirit

Aug 5, 2014, 3:17 PM

Israel’s fear of winning

Tisha B'Av of the Protective Edge variety presents Israel with an unprecedented opportunity to consider its current position along the exile-redemption continuum. Perhaps more importantly, it's an opportunity for Israel to consider why it chooses to remain stuck where...

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About Me

Avi Zimmerman is the President and CEO of the Integrated Business Roundtable and the President of the Judea and Samaria Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

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