We love to believe that successful Jews overseas, the millionaires and billionaires, keep an especially warm corner in their hearts for Israel. We are so proud of our Zionist representative out there in the world, basking in the glow these international stars send in our direction from time to time. To be truthful, very few have managed to combine Zionism and business. Ted Arison was one of them.
He was not content with merely transferring a few millions for investments in Israel. At the beginning of the 90s, Arison left his home and took up residence in Israel, while building up a local economic empire.
When someone passes on from this world, it is customary to heap eulogies on him. Arison had business rivals, but both in his lifetime and at his death, they treated him with the sort of respect reserved for the few of his standing, who managed to combine flourishing businesses alongside personal charm and great respect for business partners and rivals alike.
Arison had a score to settle with Israel. Unlike many Jews who made in the world, Arison started off life as an Israeli. He was disappointed with Israel, and left the country in the 50s, hurting over the treatment he was accorded in those days. He returned to Israel as a great international success, having forgiven and forgotten. He realized the American dream, and then set about realizing his personal Israeli dream.
He returned a winner, and some say his actions here were guided by a certain feeling of triumph. How symbolic that two of his largest holdings in Israel, Bank Hapoalim and Shikun u'Binui (Housing and Construction) were acquired from the Histadrut, the embodiment of local bureaucracy and decay during those same years.
His right-hand-man in Israel, Shlomo Nehama, in whom he placed great faith, said last night, "He knew how to dream and to make the dream come true. For him, Israel was next most important thing in life, after his family. Very few people are able to fill their lives so fully."
Arison leaves behind him family and many friends. Unlike many of his standing, Arison was outgoing, and built warm ties with quite a few Israelis. He loved to play backgammon (his partner was invariably Aharon Dovrat), and to eat Felafel (stuffed pocket bread) in the Yeminite quarter, just as much as he participated in the jet-set circuit.
Despite his illness in the past three years, he mind remained clear and he was highly involved in his businesses. During this period, he also held many discussions with associates and family members. He knew the end was approaching, and spoke about it openly. This openness and the greatness of the man led him to make all the necessary arrangements while he was alive. The manner in which he relegated responsibility and the detailed instructions he gave are expected to facilitate the continued development and flourishing of the empire he built.
At the time, Ted Arison was regarded as one of Benjamin Netanyahu's ardent supporters. His right-wing views were no secret, and many on the right of the political spectrum enjoyed his generous hospitality. In the past two years, he cooled somewhat towards Netanyahu, and associates say he expressed disappointment and a desire to rid himself from the image of "Netanyahu associate". Shari Arison is identified with the left, and more than once made private comments in support of Meretz.
For the past three years, Arison fought cancer, and it is ironic that it was a heart attack that struck him in the end. He returned at the weekend from a holiday in Provence. He felt unwell and then passed away in his apartment at the Golda Center in Tel Aviv, overlooking the sea he loved so much. He was born and Israeli and he died an Israeli. He completed the full circle of his life as very few others have done.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on October 3, 1999