By: Fern Sidman

American hedge-fund billionaire Bill Ackman is expected in Israel this week for a visit that underscores both his financial confidence in the country and his outspoken commitment to defending the Jewish state during one of the most challenging chapters in its history. As The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS)  reported on Monday, Ackman will preside over the opening bell ceremony of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) on Tuesday morning, a symbolic gesture underscoring his faith in Israel’s resilience amid its nearly two-year war with Hamas.

Ackman, 59, has long been one of the most prominent figures in the U.S. capital markets, but since Oct. 7, 2023 — when Hamas terrorists massacred more than 1,200 Israelis and abducted hundreds more in southern Israel — he has become an unmistakable voice of support for Israel in the financial world. According to the information provided in the JNS report, his scheduled appearance at TASE is not only a ceremonial honor but also a public affirmation of Israel’s enduring economic strength.

The Tel Aviv market has defied expectations in the wake of the ongoing war. Since the October 7 attack, TASE has risen by an extraordinary 65%, climbing to record highs. Analysts and investors alike, as cited in the JNS report, attribute this rally to a confluence of factors: investor faith in Israeli innovation, confidence in the country’s geopolitical stability despite ongoing fighting, and broader optimism about Israel’s position in the region.

The decision to honor Ackman with the bell-ringing ceremony reflects his personal financial stake in this resilience. In 2023, Ackman and his Israeli-born wife, architect and designer Neri Oxman, purchased a nearly 5% equity position in TASE for approximately $25 million. That move signaled confidence not only in Israel’s economic fundamentals but also in its institutions’ ability to withstand the turbulence of war.

Beyond the financial realm, Ackman has emerged as a powerful advocate for Jewish communities at home and abroad. JNS has chronicled his outspoken criticism of the rampant antisemitism that has plagued elite American universities in the aftermath of the October 7 atrocities. At Harvard, his alma mater, Ackman became one of the most vocal critics of the administration’s failure to respond adequately to anti-Israel and anti-Jewish rhetoric on campus. His campaign against institutional complacency was a major factor in the resignation of Harvard’s president earlier this year.

In a financial industry often hesitant to wade into political or moral disputes, Ackman’s willingness to speak so forcefully marked a departure. He has used his prominence not merely to influence markets but to shape public debate, insisting that silence in the face of antisemitism is no longer tenable. As the JNS report emphasized, this dual role — investor and activist — distinguishes Ackman as a unique ally for Israel at a moment when the Jewish state has faced both military and reputational battles.

Ackman’s visit comes at a time when Israel’s stock market, much like its society, is demonstrating remarkable resilience under pressure. The 65% surge in TASE since October 2023 is widely seen as a reflection of the nation’s ability to adapt and thrive even under existential threat. JNS noted that the market’s performance has surprised analysts who initially expected prolonged volatility and investor retreat in response to the war. Instead, Israel’s innovation-driven economy has proven an anchor of stability, attracting global investors and underscoring the long-term value of Israeli enterprise.

For Ackman, who manages billions in assets through his New York-based Pershing Square Capital Management, ringing the opening bell is both a symbolic and substantive act. It ties his personal financial investment to a broader narrative: that Israel’s markets, like its people, remain unbowed by the violence and uncertainty of war.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange will hold a special ceremony to mark the occasion, with TASE CEO Ittai Ben Zeev and Seffy Zinger, chairman of the Israel Securities Authority, in attendance. Their participation reflects the significance of Ackman’s presence: one of America’s most renowned financiers lending his credibility and visibility to Israel’s financial hub.

Ackman’s itinerary will also include an address at the TechTrek conference, organized by international investment bank Jefferies. As Israel’s largest institutional investor technology gathering, the conference highlights the central role of innovation in the country’s economy. Ackman’s participation will likely amplify the message that Israel’s high-tech ecosystem remains globally attractive, even amid the strains of ongoing conflict.

In many ways, Ackman’s visit is about more than markets or ceremonies. As the JNS report observed, his decision to stand publicly with Israel reflects a deeper commitment to combating antisemitism, bolstering Jewish resilience, and ensuring that the war launched by Hamas does not isolate the Jewish state from global partners. His stake in TASE and his willingness to speak out against prejudice both underscore a broader principle: that defending Israel and defending Jewish communities are inseparable parts of the same struggle.

At a moment when international forums often highlight criticisms of Israel, Ackman’s voice carries particular weight. His actions signal that financial leaders are not only prepared to invest in Israel but also to challenge narratives that delegitimize its right to self-defense. That message, amplified in Tel Aviv this week, may reverberate well beyond the trading floor.

Bill Ackman’s upcoming visit to Israel and his symbolic ringing of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange’s opening bell capture more than a moment of market optimism. They embody a fusion of financial acumen and moral clarity at a time when both are desperately needed. As the JNS report emphasized, Ackman’s advocacy is not simply about profits or portfolio positions. It is about resilience, justice, and the imperative to stand with Israel in both the economic and ideological arenas.

In honoring him, Israel’s financial institutions are not only recognizing an investor but embracing an ally who has consistently spoken out for the Jewish state and against the forces of hatred that threaten it. In the shadow of war, that message matters more than ever.