High-Tech Ties Bridge Mideast Divide

With any lull in the violence, Palestinian and Israeli representatives reach out to each other for business and trade opportunities. One example is Israeli high-tech executive, Jonathan Levy, president and general manager of Nuvoton, who did not hesitate in outsourcing some software engineering work to seven recent graduates from West Bank universities. More than 2000 Palestinian students graduate with computer science or engineering degrees each year, and the high-tech industry in neighboring Israel needs the workers. “In Israel, high-tech executives wield political power and some hope their inroads into the Palestinian business community can push forward political negotiations,” reports Robert W. Gee for Cox News Service. Individuals, companies as well as the US Agency for International Development are gradually increasing efforts to promote Palestinian-Israeli ties through education, business and trade. Courage is taking a chance on cooperation. – YaleGlobal