Investor Bill Ackman has predicted that Israel will produce a $1 trillion company in the not-too-distant future, citing the nation's high density of talent and intellectual property. Ackman, who owns around a 5% stake in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, described the economy as one of the best in the world. He suggested the future trillion-dollar entity would likely emerge from the cybersecurity or AI sectors.

Ackman highlighted the recent acquisition of cybersecurity firm Wiz by Alphabet Inc for $32 billion as evidence of the region's capabilities. He noted that entrepreneurs in Israel have developed significant grit due to recent conflicts. The investor also observed that top venture capital firms are opening offices in the country, and some companies are rejecting acquisition offers from large tech firms to pursue independent growth.

"Imagine if Silicon Valley was a country," Ackman said, emphasizing the concentration of innovation within Israel's borders. He pointed to the resilience of business owners who have navigated a brutal war as a factor contributing to the economic outlook.

Investors seeking exposure to Israeli companies can consider the iShares MSCI Israel ETF. The fund holds stakes in companies headquartered in Israel, including those listed on U.S. exchanges. The top holdings include major players across pharmaceuticals, banking, and technology.

Ackman and his wife, Neri Oxman, invested approximately $25 million for a 5% stake in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2024. Increased investment in companies headquartered in Israel could benefit his position.

U.S. support for Israel has sharply eroded after decades of broad bipartisan backing, with Democrats increasingly critical of the longtime ally and younger Republicans showing signs of unease, according to a new poll. A fresh AP-NORC poll survey released on Tuesday found that about one-third of U.S. adults, including roughly half of Democrats, believe Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians during the war in Gaza. Israel and the U.S. government have strongly denied the accusation, which some human rights groups have leveled against Israel.

The poll also found similar divisions among Jewish adults. About 30% said Israel has committed genocide, while 49% said it has not. The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research surveyed 3,040 U.S. adults from June 11 to 17, including 1,022 Jewish adults, using its probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel.

Poll Shows Growing Doubts Over Israel’s War

The Democratic shift is noteworthy. About 58% of Democrats said the U.S. is too supportive of Israel, up from 45% in January 2024. About 62% said the U.S. is not supportive enough of Palestinians, up from 49%. Republicans remain more supportive of Israel, but younger GOP voters are less united. Only 13% of Republicans overall called Israel’s actions genocide, though about 2 in 10 Republicans under 45 said so. About 60% of Republicans said U.S. support for Israel is about right.

Netanyahu And Mamdani Reflect Political Divide

The poll also showed deep disapproval of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with only 20% of U.S. adults viewing him favorably, while 38% view him unfavorably. Among Jewish adults, about 6 in 10 viewed him unfavorably. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D), an outspoken critic of Israel, drew more mixed views. About 27% of U.S. adults viewed him favorably, 28% unfavorably and 44% said they did not know enough to say.

Despite the political heat, only about one-third of U.S. adults called Israel an extremely or very important issue to them personally, highlighting how foreign policy tensions still compete with pocketbook concerns ahead of the midterms.