Press Release
Press Release
Press Contacts: Erik Cummins, Matt Hyams, Taina Rosa, Olivia Thomas
01.27.25
Pillsbury’s New York office recently partnered with investment bank Freedom Capital Markets to host an event that highlighted the resilience of Israel’s economy and the continued technological innovations taking place in the country despite the turmoil caused by the war that erupted 15 months ago.
Pillsbury Special Counsel Nathan Renov, who is part of the Firm’s Intellectual Property practice and deputy chair of the firm’s Israel practice, offered opening remarks. Nathan described Freedom’s capabilities as a boutique investment banking firm, and discussed Pillsbury’s experience advising companies and investors doing business in Israel’s thriving market and Israeli companies with commercial interests worldwide. He then introduced the keynote speaker and emceed the event.
Nathan was followed by Hanan Friedman, CEO of Bank Leumi, Israel’s largest financial institution. His keynote speech described how high-tech is a major driver of economic growth in Israel and the role his bank plays in helping technology companies of all sizes thrive and expand. He further discussed how Israel’s economy has withstood 16 months of war to maintain its strength and continue to thrive.
Following the keynote speech, Pillsbury Special Counsel Justin Rubin, an advisor to several US subsidiaries of Israel defense contractors and a member of the Firm’s Government Law & Strategies practice, moderated a panel discussion about how Israel is pioneering defense technology. During the discussion, the panelists – Michael Lurie, CEO of RAFAEL USA, and Daniella Finn, Vice President of Investor Relations at Elbit Systems – spoke about their expectations for worldwide defense spending to stay buoyant through at least the next decade. They also described the importance of technology on the battlefield for saving lives and the rapid technological advancements happening in Israel’s defense sector, including in the area of lasers.
A second panel discussion focused on technology trends and investment themes for this year and beyond. Moderated by Freedom Capital Markets’ Chief Global Strategist Jay Woods, the panelists – Moshe Eisenberg, CFO of Camtek, Udi Mizrahi, Deputy CEO of Ituran, and Evan “Eli” Renov, Co-Founder & CEO of Arieli Capital – spoke about how their companies proved to be resilient through the war and were able to outperform their global competitors.
Robert Wotczak, President & CEO of Freedom Capital Markets, which sponsored the event, offered closing remarks, highlighting the panelists’ emphasis on the strength of Israel’s economy, and thanking the attendees for their support.