Daniel Lubetzky

Conventional wisdom definition for Naive: someone too innocent and dreamy who thinks he or she can help change or impact socio-political conditions or somehow alter the course of history or their surroundings. In areas of conflict, it also tends to be used to counter someone who does not think ‘the enemy’ is mono-chromatic or wholly [...]

Israeli Taxi Drivers are very special. They are also psychologists, political scientists, and socialites all packed into one. Unlike NY taxi drivers where seating on the front is only done when there are too many passengers, with Israeli drivers you are just as likely to sit in the front, and the drivers can – and [...]

The Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006 gave Hamas a plurality in all districts except one. The only place where Hamas was soundly defeated and gained not one seat was Qalqiliya. What is remarkable about Qalqiliya is that it is also the only area where Hamas had gained total control in the prior municipal elections less [...]

This last Friday, Gazans organized a protest against Hamas. They called on people to pray outside the mosques. The background to this is that Hamas has seized total control of the mosques, banning any Imam who does not follow the party line, and using the pulpit for their political and ideological propaganda. Needless to say, [...]

Who asks for the business card (or aims to establish a relationship) tells you a lot about power dynamics. It is easily understood that younger up-and-coming entrepreneurs will try to link up with high-powered CEOs or that salespeople will aim to connect with buyers. But another subtle dynamic I keep noticing is that, in general, [...]

  Today we met with Dr. Saeb Erakat in Jericho & he agreed to join the OneVoice Honorary Board and to help us with the OV Summit. Erakat is the tough but fair, pragmatic and constructive head Palestinian negotiator. (here he is in center with me on the left and Dr. Fathi Darwish on the [...]

Many locals in Gaza are starting to demonstrate. The Hamas forces have threatened the international and local media not to cover the uprising. Tomorrow prayers were called by citizens fed up with Hamas oppression. Media has finally started to ignore censure, emboldening more. Tomorrow can be an important day in the grassroots struggle against militant [...]

Palestinian negotiators invoke the fact that the window of opportunity for a two-state solution is closing and will soon be replaced by the call for a “One State Solution” in order to incite fear among Israelis and push them to the negotiating table.  But this negative tactic is unwise, both because a “One State Solution” [...]

Then there are the low moments, which invariably will come when you are taking yourself outside the safety zone, which you must do if you want to achieve something meaningful. When things are bad or bad news or disappointments come – you must derive strength – from friends and family, from a steadfastly united team, [...]

Driving up to Jerusalem with one of my mentors and Board members, Ian Fisher, we discussed the importance we put in self-analysis and self- criticism, and the essential need for objective constructive criticism from others, both re. personal management and strategic substance. Being a CEO in charge of taking ultimate decisions and guiding your team, [...]