Technology
Monday, October 16th, 2023 2:09 pm EDT
Key Points
- Impact of the Conflict: The conflict between Israel and Hamas, marked by missile attacks and the declaration of war, has significantly disrupted daily life in Israel, particularly in cities like Tel Aviv. The article emphasizes the uncertainty and confusion experienced by individuals who were caught off guard by the sudden escalation of hostilities.
- Resilience of the Tech Community: Despite the challenges posed by the conflict, Israel’s tech community remains resilient and determined. Tech companies are implementing measures to ensure business continuity, with many employees working remotely. Some employees are even given the option to relocate with their families, demonstrating the flexibility and support within these tech firms. This resilience is particularly notable given the tech sector’s substantial contribution to Israel’s GDP and its workforce.
- Community Support and Innovation: The tech community in Israel has come together to support one another, with employees volunteering to cover tasks for those who have been drafted for military reserve duty. Furthermore, despite the ongoing conflict, tech companies are actively working on projects and tools related to the crisis, including a bulletin board for locating missing persons, cyberattack defense tools, and resources for finding online psychologists. This innovation and collective effort are reflective of the spirit of the “startup nation” and the solidarity within Israel’s tech community.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates, Israel’s tech community faces unique challenges but continues to display remarkable resilience. Dvir Ben-Aroya, co-founder of Spike, a workplace collaboration platform serving clients such as Fiverr, Snowflake, Spotify, and Wix, shared his experience. He was awakened by blaring alarms and the sight of missiles over Tel Aviv, which marked the onset of the crisis.
The morning of the conflict, Hamas carried out attacks near the Israel-Gaza border, resulting in civilian casualties and hostages. Israel declared war, leading to a siege on Gaza that cut off access to power, food, water, and fuel. The conflict has taken a toll, with over 1,000 Israelis and nearly 850 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank losing their lives, according to various sources.
Despite the turmoil, the Israeli tech sector, which contributes nearly one-fifth of the country’s GDP and employs approximately 10% of its workforce, continues to forge ahead. Dvir Ben-Aroya convened an all-hands meeting at 3 p.m. on the day of the missile attacks. During the meeting, the 35 full-time employees located in Israel shared their experiences. Ben-Aroya decided that remote work was the way forward and offered support to employees wishing to leave Israel with their families. Notably, 10% of the workforce accepted the offer, while more were considering the option.
Amitai Ratzon, CEO of cybersecurity firm Pentera, also shared insights into his company’s response to the conflict. Initially marked by uncertainty and confusion, the company’s all-hands meeting on Monday provided some Israel-based employees with a welcome distraction from the ongoing crisis. Pentera, which operates in 20 countries with a significant presence in Israel, specializes in simulating cyberattacks for clients like BNP Paribas, Chanel, and Sephora. To adapt to the situation, Ratzon made adjustments to international commitments, including canceling training sessions and keynote speeches.
The mobilization of over 360,000 Israelis for military reserve duty has further complicated business operations in the tech sector. Some of the best employees of companies like Pentera are now serving their country, with some even deployed on the front lines. Isaac Heller, CEO of Trullion, an accounting automation startup with offices in Tel Aviv, described how his company’s finance lead, after finishing the 2024 financial forecast, raised over $50,000 to provide bulletproof vests for his Israeli Defense Forces unit.
Despite these challenges, Israeli tech companies are maintaining a strong sense of community and mutual support. One Zero, a digital bank with nearly 450 employees, saw approximately 10% of its workforce drafted for reserve duty. CEO Gal Bar Dea was amazed by the way employees spontaneously covered for one another, ensuring that the business continued to operate seamlessly. One Zero is currently developing a ChatGPT-like chatbot for customer service, with employees choosing to maintain their commitments and deadlines during this time. Bar Dea recounted the story of the person leading the ChatGPT project, an Air Force pilot, who participated in conference calls while on military duty.
Yaniv Sadka, an investment associate at aMoon, a health tech and life sciences-focused venture capital firm, noted that many members of the tech community have been called up to serve in Israel’s intelligence units during their reserve duty. Sadka mentioned the challenges of balancing work and personal matters, having already attended two military funerals.
Amidst the adversity, some tech community members are dedicating extra hours to developing tech tools specific to the conflict. These tools include a website for locating missing persons, cyberattack defense systems, a GoFundMe-like platform, and a resource for accessing online psychologists. The Israeli tech community is characterized by its rapid response to crises, reflecting the resilience and innovative spirit often associated with the “startup nation.”
There has been a remarkable outpouring of donations and volunteer efforts during this time, with thousands of people coming together to support one another. The tech community, spanning all age groups, is actively involved in initiatives to assist civilians, such as building websites to locate hostages and engaging in other humanitarian efforts.
However, the challenges are evident as well, with sirens interrupting daily life, and the role of tech leaders becoming increasingly complex as they navigate business responsibilities alongside personal concerns, such as the safety of their families. Despite the difficulties, the strong sense of unity and the commitment to both business and community demonstrate the resilience of Israel’s tech sector in the face of adversity.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/13/israels-tech-community-responds-to-israel-hamas-war.html
