列国鉴·以色列｜记者观察：久处“战争状态” 以色列还是“科技强国”吗？

Core Viewpoint - Israel's high-tech industry, known for its innovation and startup ecosystem, is facing significant challenges due to ongoing geopolitical conflicts and military actions, leading to economic contraction and workforce shortages [1][4][12] Group 1: Economic Impact - The GDP of Israel shrank by nearly 20% in the fourth quarter of 2023, with an annual growth rate of only 2% for that year, and a projected growth rate of just 1% for 2024 [4] - The high-tech sector, which is capital-intensive and export-oriented, has been severely affected, with declines in tourism, consumer spending, and international investment [4][9] - Approximately 8,300 high-tech workers left Israel between 2023 and 2024, representing about 2.1% of the high-tech workforce [5] Group 2: Workforce Challenges - The high-tech industry saw a 1.2% decrease in employment for the first time in a decade, with R&D positions still dominating the job market at 48.3% [5] - Many tech professionals have been called to military service, exacerbating the labor shortage [4][5] Group 3: Sectoral Resilience - Despite the overall downturn, certain sectors like semiconductors and cybersecurity are showing resilience, with Intel planning a $25 billion investment in Israel [8] - The cybersecurity sector is experiencing increased demand due to heightened security needs during the conflict, with a significant portion of venture capital directed towards it [8][9] - Agricultural technology is also performing well, with growth in orders for water-saving technologies and agricultural information systems [9] Group 4: Government and Structural Adjustments - The Israeli government is attempting to balance military service requirements with the needs of the tech sector, allowing some tech workers to defer service or work remotely [10] - Long-term strategies include promoting dual-use technologies from military to civilian applications and attracting international talent to bolster the tech ecosystem [11][12]