- Israel Maimon, CEO of IsraelBonds, thanks for joining us.

First tell us, what are Israel Bonds?

- We are the companythat is selling the bonds

of the State of Israel, ofthe government of Israel,

throughout the world.

It exists from 1952.

When the State of Israel was established,

there was no capital to establish

its infrastructure, it's needs.

At that time, Israel'spopulation was 600,000.

I cannot believe that it'salmost nine million now.

But with no, you know, internal resources,

Ben Gurion thought that he cannot ask

for additional donationsfrom the Diaspora.

He thought of maybe havingloans and it succeeded.

It was an enterprisethat succeeded very much

and the Israel Bondswas the vital resource

that came from theDiaspora all over the world

in the beginning fromthe states and Canada,

in order to raise the capitalfor the development of Israel.

- What are the uniquechallenges you're facing

because of the COVID-19 pandemic?

- When you speak about this time

of experiencing thepandemic all over the world,

Israel is suffering, I would say,

the same economic issueslike all over the world.

Israel Bonds become againa very very important,

vital resource in gaining the capital

that any government, butespecially in Israel,

needs in order to face the additional cost

that the government has.

Because we are sellingit to retail clients.

It's the individuals that cares,love, the State of Israel.

It can be Jewish people, it can be a great

Christian community in Canada,

pastors throughout UnitedStates that care about Israel

that bought in the pastIsrael Bonds and they are part

of the clients that weare approaching now.

The uniqueness is thatwe can sell $36 online

for a young kid in the college that wants

to show its support.

$36 plus $36 plus amillion from a wealthy guy,

plus 100 from people that wantto invest through their IRA.

Altogether we are selling,usually 1.1 billion dollars

a year, and this year we committed ourself

to sell 1.7 billion

in 2020 again, exactly because

of the additional needsthat the government has.

- Given today's circumstances,what is the role

you're playing rightnow in Israel's history,

and do you also work with Christians?

- We've said all the timethat we are the safety net

that Israel has.

And this time has come, the time has come,

to operate and to execute the safety net.

Some of them are great Christians

that support the State of Israel.

We have an amazing lady,for instance, in London

that is doing amazing stuff for us,

when I say they are creating events,

Zoom events, with great speakers.

They are opening doors.

They speak about the importance,speak about Israel needs,

and we are collaboratingbetween pastors to rabbis,

so we do joint events on a regular basis.

We're having events withChristians, with pastors.

A week ago we had a great event in Canada

that we wanted like a (foreign language),

you know, like something for the spirit.

So it was a pastor speaking

and the rabbi.

And I have to say,

the priest quoted more fromthe Bible than the rabbi,

so it was very nice.

(Chris laughing)

I hope and I pray that all of us will come

as quickly as possible fromthis horrific pandemic.

- Israel, tell us, whyshould one invest in Israel?

- There is only Jewish land,

and there is only oneJewish land that has the

(foreign language), theStar of David, on its flag.

So everyone understand,you have to take care

of this miracle that happened,that Israel was established.

And even though, again, Israel is booming,

people are not taking it forgranted that Israel is there.

So they care, and they want to support.

You are investing in a country that has,

first of all it's a miracle.

It can be also a light to the nations.

And you are investingfrom the financial point

in a country that issuccessful, that is booming.

So we are saying, not onlysupport it from their heart,

but fully support it becauseit's a good investment.

It's a good financial investment,because you are investing

in a country that is economically success.

It's a story of successof the high tech sector.

- Finally, Israel, what motivates you?

What gets you up every day to go to work?

- What we are doing, andI'm saying it on behalf

of the 200 employees of Israel Bonds,

to wake up every morningto a mission, to a purpose;

not just for a salary.

That you are working tosecure the future of Israel.

It gives you a purpose,it gives you a mission.

It rejuvenates you, itreenergize you every morning,

even though you are closed.

Whether in Manhattan, MexicoCity, Paris, or in Baltimore.

So we are very thankful

to have this job, butI'm calling it a mission,

not only a job.

- Well Israel Maimon, CEO of Israel Bonds,

thanks so much for joining us.