. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/ST/22/Rev.1
2 December 2009 
 (09-6141) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original:   English 
 
  
ISRAEL 
 
Statement by HE Mr Binyamin Ben Eliezer
 
Minister for Industry, Trade and Labour  
 
Revision  
  
 On behalf of the Government of the State of  Israel, I would like to begin by thanking the 
Director-General of the WTO, Mr. Pascal La my;  the Chairman of the General Council, 
H.E. Andrés Velasco, and WTO Secretariat, who have  worked hard to organize this Ministerial and 
who are facilitating two important working sessions.  I would also like to thank Switzerland for their warm welcome here in Geneva.  
 Before addressing the general theme of this Mi nisterial, that is "The WTO, the Multilateral 
Trading System and the Current Global Economic Environment", allow me to say a few words 
regarding the current Doha Round of trade negotia tions.  Israel attaches great importance to the 
current multilateral negotiations mandated by the Doha Development Agenda (DDA).  As mentioned 
here by many distinguished speakers, a prompt a nd successful conclusion of the Round is a necessity.  
Israel wishes to express its gratitude to DG Pascal Lamy  and the Chairs for their efforts in this regard, 
and looks forward to seeing a structured and transparent working program for continuing the 
negotiations.  Israel supports the goal of reaching a conclusion before the e nd of 2010, and believes it 
is indeed possible with due political will throu ghout the Membership and deep engagement on a 
multilateral, plurilateral and bilatera l levels.  Israel is committed to contribute its part towards the 
realization of that goal. 
 Israel believes in the primacy of the multilateral trade system as the prime tool for the 
expansion of trade and for the recovery from the economic crisis.  The importance of concluding the 
Doha Round is manifested yet again, in this re gard, as a new agreement would certainly strengthen 
the core principles that led the WTO and the multilate ral trading system to consistent and progressive 
liberalization throughout the years namely:  a ru le-based system;  consensus based decision-making 
mechanism;  non-discrimination;  transparency;  progressive liberalization;  and special and 
differential treatment for developing countries.   
 Israel, being a founding member of the WTO, believes that it is a forum for reducing 
obstacles to international trade and leveling the playing field as a way to promote a sustainable 
economic growth on a global scale. It is a unique or ganization, given the principles mentioned before, 
which are especially valuable for small countries su ch as Israel.  In this regard, the WTO regular 
bodies are of extreme importance.  Without diminishing the significance of trade negotiations, it is 
Israel's strong belief that the day-by-day admini stration and monitoring of WTO rules and principles 
is a fundamental tool to sustain a strong,  well functioning multilateral trading system. WT/MIN(09)/ST/22/Rev.1 
Page 2  
 
   One of the topic's on this Ministerial Agenda is  the global economic crisis and the role of the 
WTO in this regard.  Indeed, all Member Count ries were hit by the crisis, both developed and 
developing ones, but naturally the social impacts an d the challenge of recovery are grave especially 
for the later.  Israeli economy is export driven and the global decline in trade volume, especially in the 
areas of high technologies, has brought to a sharp decline in exports from Israel.  From November 
2008 through January of 2009, there has been a decline of 43.6% (on an annual basis) in the volume 
of exports.  From February through April 2009 , the negative trend continued, amounting to a 
reduction of 27.5% (on an annual basis). 
 However, this brings me to the following poin t: even though the economic crisis has hit hard, 
we have not witnessed a global retreat to high-intens ity protectionism.  This might be an indication 
that lessons from the Great Depression were learned,  but it is also evid ence to the fact that the WTO 
system works .  One has to appreciate this and not succu mb to those voices that question the strength 
and relevance of the WTO system and even its cred ibility.  Israel sees the WTO as the major tool to 
achieve sustained economic growth worldwide.  This  Ministerial is indeed a unique opportunity for 
each and every one of us to express this commitment.  T his, of course, does not preclude the need to 
consider ways to strengthen the WTO, even thoug h a careful consideration is needed to avoid 
impairing the core principles and f unctioning of this organization. 
 To conclude, Israel remains fully committed to  work constructively with all other Members, 
both with regards to assessing and reflecting on th e WTO and its role in the future, and towards a 
successful and timely conclusion of the DDA, a goal necessary to global trade and economic 
operators, especially at these crisis times. 
__________