The IASPS Koret Fellowship Program continues to bring results. And, just as importantly, the policy makers and the media are taking notice.

An extraordinary reflection of the success of the IASPS Koret Fellowship Program was provided by Professor Avi Ben-Bassat, director of Israel's Finance Ministry. When asked to justify the government's intended privatization of a new port, Professor Ben-Bassat referred reporters to IASPS Policy Studies No. 41, authored by IASPS Koret Fellow Amir Etzioni.

Here is the full quotation, excerpted from an article in the February 4 weekend edition of the Israeli daily Ma'ariv:

"Professor Ben-Bassat explained his determination to open the ports to competition with reference to the low efficiency of Israeli ports, when compared with Europe; the waste of productive resources; and the unsatisfactory level of service. 

"`Port Authority employees, exploiting their ability and power to strike the ports, have succeeded in enshrining themselves among the highest-salaried employees in the economy,' [Ben-Bassat stated] quoting an IASPS study from 1999. According to the study, the direct damage done the economy because of days boats spend waiting [to be unloaded] in the Haifa and Ashdod ports (at an average cost of $10,000 per day) totaled $24.4 million, for example, in 1997.''

Meanwhile, on the legislative front, IASPS Policy Studies continue to make a difference. This was made clear when MK Roman Bronfman (Democratic Choice) submitted a private member's bill to end Israel's stamp tax. The bill, its explanation, the press release and all of MK Bronfman's statements on the matter were based on IASPS Koret Fellow Ehud Menirav's Policy Studies No. 44, "Israel's Stamp Tax." Several other MKs were sufficiently convinced by Menirav's study to prepare legislation to abolish the tax, but MK Bronfman was first to submit his bill. It is likely that by the time the bill comes up for a vote, other MKs will have signed on as co-sponsors or submitted their own bills.

But it is not just that the Koret Fellowship program turns out authoritative Policy Studies for legislators and policy makers. Through its mentoring efforts, IASPS is turning out year after year a new breed of policy experts. Whether it is Amir Etzioni and the Internet (see cover story on p. 1) or Ehud Menirav and taxes, these young Koret Fellow graduates are creating a new community of true free-market scholars that are sought after by media and policy makers alike.

For example, Menirav was interviewed about the stamp tax on Israel Television's popular Telekesef show on Sunday night, February 6. The show's hosts, Ha'aretz economics editor Nehemia Stressler and former Finance Ministry official Yoram Gabbai, were both well disposed towards Menirav and the elimination of the stamp tax. This was Menirav's second appearance on Telekesef, where he had been interviewed after the appearance of his previous Policy Studies.

The 1999-2000 class is now off and running and the process of turning raw talent into refined expertise is underway. Here is a rundown:

Hadas Stober is interning with MK Zevulun Orlev, chairman of the Knesset's Education Committee. Every Sunday morning they meet to discuss issues which will come before the Committee that week. Ms. Stober has submitted economic policy analyses of teachers' wages, student loans, and distribution of state aid to elementary schools.

Galya Levy is interning with MK Joseph Paritzki (Shinui). MK Paritzki, a lawyer by profession, is a dynamic new member of Israel's Knesset and Ms. Levy is kept busy on many fronts. She has assisted MK Paritzki with research into the funding of nonprofit organizations, which are often funded simultaneously by several state ministries, and often without any justification for any funding at all, even by the liberal standards of Israel's statist society.

Eran Mordechai is interning in the Prime Minister's Office, where he assists Yair Cohen-Priva, the director of the Economic Division, in economic policy research. Mr. Mordechai is currently completing research for a Policy Studies he began even before his assignment to the Prime Minister's Office. This research focuses on Israel's energy sector, specifically the state stranglehold on gas stations.

Limor Menirav is interning with MK Raanan Cohen, the general-secretary of Israel's Labor party. Ms. Menirav has researched the state corporation that controls 90 percent of Israel's lands, the Israel Lands Authority. MK Cohen is publishing the results of Ms. Menirav's research in order to justify a move to close the ILA and privatize Israel's lands. Ms. Menirav has also published an op-ed in the Israeli daily Ha'aretz on the subject, which appeared on January 5, entitled, "An Open Tender for Land."

Roni Azoulay is interning with MK Eliezer Cohen (Israel Beitenu). Cohen is a legendary former Air Force pilot known in Israel as "Cheetah." His stated purpose for seeking and winning election to the Knesset last year is to stress the importance of a constitution for Israel. Mr. Azoulay has been assigned to bring proposals for an economic constitution, which is to be based on that of Hong Kong.

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