True individuals

On the face of it, Uri Avnery and Kofi Annan had very little in common. Mr Avnery was outspoken and a deeply controversial figure in his own country. Mr Annan was a consummate diplomat who was a conformist and a global figure. But their passing this week reminds us that any substantial figure — and, in their very different ways, both were that — resists pigeon-holing. Avnery might have been dismissed by many Israelis as a left-wing extremist but for all his harsh criticisms of Israel, his words stemmed from a deep patriotism and a sense that his beloved country was on the wrong path. Annan was similarly unpopular in Israel after a series of heavily critical statements as UN General Secretary. But he was no anti-Israel caricature. He swiftly realised he was wrong to describe Jenin as a massacre, withdrawing and apologising. And, within the UN, he stood up for Israel’s right to defend itself. Both Uri Avnery and Kofi Annan strove to make the world better, even if they sometimes made mistakes in doing so.

Israel – big deal

The sale of Israeli firm Sodastream to Pepsi for $3.2 billion has made world-wide headlines. But in the context of Israeli business deals it is not even the biggest this year. In May, Frutarom was sold for $7.1 billion. In March, Orbotech went for $3.4 billion. The list goes on — and shows, yet again, how Israel really is a modern miracle.