Diamond industry in Israel

[2][3][needs update] What was to become the Israeli diamond industry began in 1937, eleven years before the State of Israel was established, when the first diamond polishing plant was opened in Petah Tikva by Asher Anshel Daskal and Zvi Rosenberg, two experts diamantaires from Romania that immigrated from Belgium.

By 1944 the industry employed 3,300 workers in 33 factories, with £P 1,320,000 capital investment, entirely Jewish.

[citation needed] During the first fifteen years of Israel's existence, diamonds and Jaffa oranges were the new state's main export products.

[citation needed] In the beginning of the 21st century, Israel is one of the world's three major centers for polished diamonds, alongside Belgium and India.

[14] As of 2016[update], diamonds amounted to 28% of Israel's total exports and they were still 12% of the world's production.

[15] Some human rights campaigners, however, say the Kimberley Process defines conflict diamonds too narrowly, only relating to uncut stones, enabling Israel's diamond-cutting industry to avoid attention.