ST. LOUIS — In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, an Israeli CEO with ties to St. Louis offers a compelling and unique view of the harsh realities faced by those directly impacted by the conflict.
Ofer Haviv is the CEO of Evogene, a computational biology company based in Israel with an office in St. Louis.
Haviv doesn't mince words when he says, "I think that almost everything you hear about maybe the reality, it's even worse." His candid assessment underscores the gravity of the situation.
Though the heart of Evogene's operations lies in Israel, Haviv maintains a special connection with St. Louis. He fondly recalls his experiences in the city, saying, "I've been to St. Louis many, many times. I know the place quite well. I've visited the arch, been to the Busch Stadium, and enjoy the food there."
However, as the conflict intensifies, Haviv emphasizes that it has been an agonizing ordeal for those living in Israel, where daily life is punctuated by the need to seek shelter: "So almost every day, we need to run to the shelter at least once."
Evogene's Israeli offices, situated near Gaza, have not been spared from the violence. Early in the conflict, Haviv received devastating news: "One of our employees was actually murdered on a Saturday morning. He was together with his wife. It was a shock, and we feel like we lost somebody from our family."
Nevertheless, amidst the turmoil, Evogene remains steadfast in its business operations. Haviv conveyed his gratitude on behalf of the people of Israel to President Biden and the United States, saying, "It's highly, highly appreciated. We all want to express our thanks for what you've done."
While the situation remains fraught with challenges, Haviv holds on to hope, believing that peace and normalcy will eventually return. He concludes with a note of optimism: "I still have hope, but it's going to take time."
This hope serves as a beacon of resilience in the face of adversity.