Bennett hails Israel Prize recipients as entrepreneurs, ‘endless optimists’

Education Minister Naftali Bennett hails this year’s recipients of the Israel Prize as “endless optimists” who acted as entrepreneurs to turn their dreams into reality.

At the 2017 Israel Prize ceremony, Bennett says entrepreneurship is Israel’s “secret ingredient.”

“Israel’s secret ingredient is entrepreneurship: entrepreneurship in the youth movements; entrepreneurship in the IDF; entrepreneurship in high-tech and the economy; social and educational entrepreneurship.” Bennett says.

“Our strength is in entrepreneurship, not innovation. What is the difference between the two? Innovation is what gives birth to ideas, whereas entrepreneurship is what turns the idea into reality.”

“Dear boys and girls: we are the State. All of us. If something is broken – fix it. If something is wrong – act.”

Bennett says an entrepreneurial spirit is what all of this year’s prize recipients have in common.

“Everyone sitting on this stage is an entrepreneur. You all dared. You all dreamed. You all fulfilled,” he says. “They are all endless optimists. Instead of complaining about problems, they repair the world.”