We’ve heard a lot about how Israel is a beneficiary and dependent on the United States. But is that really the case?

“Our economy is heavily dependent on Israel. And there’s this illusion that really irritates me—that somehow Israel is a dependent of the U.S., or some kind of abusive child or something. But Israel really gives us far more than they take,” argues George Gilder.

He is an investor, economist, and best-selling author of 23 books, including the post-Oct. 7 updated edition of his 2009 book, “The Israel Test: How Israel’s Genius Enriches and Challenges the World.”

“You destroy Israel, the value of the world economy would drop by 50 percent,” says Gilder. “It’s knowledge that enables wealth. And knowledge comes from human minds created in the image of their Creator. And this is the great monotheistic vision that Jews have vouchsafed to the world and that is crucial to Western civilization.”

From the first pogroms in ancient Egypt and up to the present day, what role has envy played in anti-Semitism?

“I think the evil in men’s hearts is to tear down accomplishment, excellence, and genius. It’s really a perverse envy that we all have to labor to overcome. I mean, envy is natural to all of us, and it’s our Israel test. It cleaves the hearts of the world and it continues to challenge us,” says Gilder.

Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.