All seven of Israel’s universities are public, all highly placed in world rankings, but nine private colleges (called “non-budgeted”) account for 13 percent of the country’s higher education enrollment. Half their enrollments are in law and business. Three or four have strong reputations, most of all the IDC. As with many private higher education institutions globally, leading figures have come from public university backgrounds.

The IDC boasts many characteristics of what PROPHE is characterizing as “semi-elite” institutions (though the IDC has much claim toward the elite end). It is powerfully international in focus, uses English prominently, is innovative and proudly anti-bureaucratic (in contrast to its portrayal of public universities and the state), and sees itself keeping top national talent from emigrating. The IDC has been famously successful in attracting philanthropy. Its success is also contrasted to the political and budget problems faced by the country’s universities.