A recent article in the Israeli newspaper highlighted how Israel has learnt how to prevent the actions of  “lone wolf terrorists’. This subject has become pertinent across the globe, when you consider the recent attacks in Nice, Berlin, London and elsewhere. My question is what does it teach us about the world of technology and innovation.

Israel security services have developed an operations model that not only demands enhanced cooperation between the various forces. They have “built profiles of participants in the demonstrations and then, using the social networks, we follow them and carry out arrests.”

Poke that simple sentence and you will drill down into a world of geeks in military green, fighting a cyber war on behalf of their country. These people will eventually make their way into civilian life and become the founders and core teams of new start ups.

Wishful thinking?  A report from “New York data firm CB Insights lists the nine most influential sectors of cyber-security innovation in 2017 and the 30 startups that have pioneering technology and the potential to shape the future of cyber-security.” Three are from Israel. As one article recently surmised, Israeli companies are in the forefront of protecting billions of IoT devices.

Where did the impetus for this technology whiz come from? The modern state of Israel was created in May 1948. Its neighbours rejected this accomplishment and invaded immediately, the only time an official UN motion has been discarded in return for war. Jewish communities were cut off in a terrain the size of Wales. What to do?

The nascent Israel turned to its communications corps, which resorted to the most up-to-date technique available. It trained a whole squadron in doves – 3 bases, 60 soldiers and about 1,000 birds. (I would love to have seen the morning parade). They included a special “regiment”. 200 strong, they were donated by the American Jewish community of Pennsylvania, having seen prior service in World War II. With no telephone lines (and no internet), an enterprising spirit invoking a technology of old saved the day.

Although the unit was gradually disbanded during the 1950s, Kibbutz Givat Brenner has spent the past decade raising a new crop of doves. My point is that this cute, fascinating story, written up in the Ha’aretz newspaper, enables us to learn a great deal about Israel and its innovation.

When people ask me how Israelis have come to be known as a start up nation, a good part of my explanation is that it is inherent. Innovation is in their blood. Israelis have always moved ahead by being entrepreneurs. To invoke a biblical phrase at this season of both Passover and Easter, Israelis see a ‘stumbling block’ as something to go around and not a halt sign.