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Thank you, guys. For 74 years, Israel has been a beacon of progress, economic success, and democracy in the harsh and ruthless

land that is called the Middle East.

As former Prime Minister Eud Barakwan said, a villa in the jungle.

But as you plunge headfirst into the history of Israel and the Jewish people, you come to the

realization that our thriving economy and democracy. headfirst into the history of Israel and the Jewish people, you come to the realization

that our thriving economy and democracy isn't obvious at all.

In fact, in 1948, when the state of Israel was established, there were only 24 democracies

on the face of the globe, a mere one-fourth of existing states back then.

And so you can't help but wonder how were the foundations to

this anomaly that is our existence here laid down. And if we played so many cards right, how come

we can't quite reach the high standards of living that you see in the most successful countries

on earth, like the Scandinavian

countries, Canada, Australia, or even America. To answer these mind-boggling questions and many more,

with us today is Dr. Ori Katz, the author of the new book Blue and White Money, published in Hebrew. He is also the co-host of the

Hebrew podcast Creative Destruction, which is about economics. Dr. Katz has a doctorate in economics,

specializing in economic growth in the history of economy, and are super super thrilled to have dr oly

...