Shir Hever

“When the government starts talking about paying its debts in ten years’ time, that still hurts them.”

Shir Hever · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Shir Hever explained the financial harm to defence companies when the government delays debt payments.

“It may be that another EU state takes over as Israel’s intermediary,”

Shir Hever · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Shir Hever discussed the possibility of European states acting as intermediaries for Israeli bond sales.

“Companies like [Israeli defence giant] Elbit Systems are very right-wing and nationalistic, but at the end of the day they’re still companies with shareholders and investors,”

Shir Hever · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Shir Hever discussed how Israeli defence contractors are impacted by unpaid government debts.

“However, it may not, and the consequences of that would be dramatic. Essentially, Israel risks defaulting on its debt, at which point it stops being able to borrow money. Essentially, it would stop being able to pay for its weapons.”

Shir Hever · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-23

Shir Hever warned of potential default and inability to fund weapons if Israel loses European bond intermediaries.

“Maybe it’s only true because Israel needs that edge, because it’s ultimately a colonising project.”

Shir Hever · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Hever suggested Israel's need to maintain its technological edge stems from its nature as a colonising project.

“Israeli economists like to say that the survival of the Israeli state is dependent on it retaining its edge in research and development, but why? Why is that the case if it’s not true for other states, such as Romania?”

Shir Hever · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Hever questioned the common justification given by Israeli economists for prioritizing research and development retention.