Tnuva Chairman: "The business sector has significant potential to bolster national strength"
Tnuva Chairman: "The business sector has significant potential to bolster national strength"
Haim Gavrieli was speaking at the 2025 Forecasts Conference. "Confidence-building measures by policymakers are essential for the necessary growth," added Gavrieli.
"The past year has forced Israelis to confront an unimaginable reality: thousands of families grieving the loss of loved ones, thousands more injured in body and mind, over 100 kidnapped individuals still held captive in Gaza, and hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes. With ongoing fighting, the collective trauma is palpable. For many, this dark chapter feels unending. It’s hard to answer a simple question like ‘How are you?’ when nothing feels as it once did," said Haim Gavrieli, Chairman of Tnuva, at Calcalist's 2025 Forecasts Conference, held in collaboration with Bank Hapoalim and the Phoenix Group.
Reflecting on resilience in the face of tragedy, Gavrieli shared two poignant stories. The first was of Kissufim's dairy farm, devastated during the October 7 attacks. Twelve members of the kibbutz and six agricultural workers were murdered, while 86-year-old Shlomo Mantzur was kidnapped and remains in captivity. Despite the destruction, the kibbutz resolved to rebuild its dairy farm quickly, recognizing it as a symbol of life and resilience.
The second story was about visiting the “Returning to Life” rehabilitation unit at Sheba Medical Center alongside Tnuva’s management. "We met soldiers who had been there for months, and their resilience amazed us," Gavrieli said. "Despite their injuries, they radiated optimism, humor, and strength. They embodied a new kind of Israeliness—one I hope marks the beginning of a renaissance."
A recent Tnuva survey conducted by the TNS Institute revealed that 80% of Israelis attribute the country’s resilience to its people, more so than to the government or security forces. Interestingly, 60% of respondents saw the business sector as having significant potential to bolster national strength—a perspective Gavrieli found surprising but inspiring.
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"The business sector has stepped in where the government has faltered," Gavrieli said, emphasizing that Israeli companies must now define their commitment to national resilience. He cited Tnuva’s efforts to ensure food security, including its NIS 15 million Dairy Rehabilitation Assistance Fund, created to support dairy farms after the October war. "We are committed to ensuring supermarket shelves are stocked with essential products, no matter the circumstances."
Looking ahead, Gavrieli urged collaboration between the government, the business sector, and civil society to rebuild the nation. "Confidence-building measures by policymakers are essential for the necessary growth," he said. "Tnuva will stand by any initiative to strengthen the country, including the reconstruction of the north."
In closing, Gavrieli acknowledged the uncertainty of the times but expressed faith in Israel’s collective strength. "Each of us has a responsibility to contribute. Together, we can rebuild and emerge stronger."
