Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in Ehad Haam Street. Photo: Sambach.

So with all the negative headlines which surround Israel daily – from the threat of Iran to pressures from the Palestinians, one could easily overlook Israel’s booming economy.  The amazing truth is that in the past 10 years, Israel’s stock market produced better risk adjusted returns than all other developed stock markets in the past decade. Yes, you read it right – the country under constant threat of war has the best performing stock market in the world after adjusting for volatility.

The Tel Aviv TA-25 returned 161 percent, including dividends, over the past 10 years – Could one imagine if Israel had civil, normal neighbors who wanted to live peacefully, what sort of returns investors in Israel could have?

The Israeli economy has been shockingly healthy even during the worldwide economic crisis and the country has been graded as one of the world’s five fastest growing emerging markets. With so much positive to be said about Israel’s economic growth, it makes a beautiful Public Relations success story for the Jewish state.

The world’s media criticizes Israel for one reason or another far too often – and instances where Israel is celebrated by the outside world are few and far between. When positive Jewish related news or activity reaches the general public, Jews call it a Kiddush Hashem, which means bringing sanctification to the Name of our G-d.  The success serves as a testament to the hard work of the holy Jews in Israel, and it’s just a great PR story.  The bottom line: While Israel’s stock market ranks third on the list with a 161% return over the past 10 years, Israel’s market comes out on top after adjusting for volatility.

Keep going.