Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk set forth below and the risk factors as described in Part I, Item 1A, ”Risk Factors”, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Other than the risk factors set forth in Part II, Item 1A of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the 2023 Form 10-K. except as set forth below, there were no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Disruption to our business operations as a result of war and hostilities in Israel and other conditions in Israel that affect our operations may limit our ability to develop, produce and sell our products.
Our headquarters and research and development center are located in Israel. Accordingly, political, economic, and military conditions in Israel directly affect us. Israel has been and is currently involved in a number of armed conflicts, including recent escalation of the conflict with Iran, and is the target of terrorist activity, including threats from Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, Iranian militia in Syria, and others. The state of hostility disrupts day-to-day civilian activity and negatively affects our business conditions.
Violence between Hamas and Israel started on October 7th when the terrorist group launched an unprecedented attack on Israel. On October 8, 2023 the Israeli Government declared that the Security Cabinet of the State of Israel approved a war situation in Israel. Since our headquarters and most of our employees operate from Israel, the state of war has disrupted and is continuing to disrupt our business operations. This situation has impacted the availability of our workforce, as approximately 11% of our workforce in Israel, where we are headquartered, have been called into active reserve duty. Several of our employees who reside close to the southern or northern boarders of Israel have been forced to evacuate their homes and have relocated to temporary housing. Since the education system is partially operating, many of our employees with small children are working from home. Due to the recency of these events, and their ongoing and evolving nature, the extent of the adverse effect on our business operations is still unknown. While our offices and facilities are open worldwide, including in Israel, and, to date, we have not had disruptions to our ability to manufacture and deliver products and services to customers a prolonged war or an escalation of the current conditions in Israel could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, any future armed conflict, political instability or violence in the region may impede our ability to manage our business effectively, operate our manufacturing plant in northern Israel, engage in research and development, or otherwise adversely affect our business or operations. In the event of escalation of the current war situation or others, we may be forced to cease operations, which may cause delays in the distribution and sale of our products. Some of our directors, executive officers, and employees in Israel are obligated to perform annual reserve duty in the Israeli military and are subject to being called for additional active duty under emergency circumstances. In the event that our principal executive office is damaged as a result of hostile action, or hostilities otherwise disrupt the ongoing operation of our offices, our ability to operate could be materially adversely affected.
Our commercial insurance does not cover losses that may occur as a result of events associated with war and terrorism. Although according to the Israeli Property Tax and Compensation Fund Regulation (Compensation Payment) (War Damage and Indirect Damage), 1973 the Israeli government should compensate physical loss or damage to the said property due to War or Terror risks on actual values, we cannot assure you that such government coverage will be maintained or that it will sufficiently cover our full potential damages. Any losses or damages incurred by us could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Additionally, several countries principally in the Middle East, restrict doing business with Israeli companies, and additional countries and groups may impose similar restrictions if hostilities in Israel or political instability in the region continue or increase. If instability in neighboring states results in the establishment of fundamentalist Islamic regimes or governments more hostile to Israel, or if Egypt or Jordan abrogates its respective peace treaty with Israel, Israel could be subject to additional political, economic, and military confines, and our operations and ability to sell our products to countries in the region could be materially adversely affected.
22
In addition, there have been increased efforts by activists to cause companies and consumers to boycott Israeli goods and cooperation with Israeli-related entities based on Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Israeli government policies. Any current or future hostilities involving Israel or the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its present trading partners, or significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In that regard, since the start of the war on Hamas, we have become aware of pressure being placed on our customers not to engage in business with us due to our affiliation with Israel. In addition, foreign policy could be negatively impacted with regard to Israel. If these pressures intensify or continue to occur, they could impact our business with suppliers and customers which could in turn adversely impact our reputation, results of operations or financial condition.
Additionally, in 2023, the Israeli government announced plans to significantly reduce the Israeli Supreme Court's judicial oversight, including reducing its ability to strike down legislation that it deems unreasonable, and plans to increase political influence over the selection of judges. Although the Israeli Supreme Court partially struck down these plans, the current government has vowed to make other changes to law that limit the powers of the Supreme Court. If such government plans are eventually enacted, they may cause operational challenges for us since we are headquartered in Israel and many of our employees are located in Israel.
Political uncertainty may have an adverse impact on our business.
As described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, we are subject to various legal, compliance and regulatory risks, including with respect to the availability of economic incentives in certain jurisdictions in which we operate. Elections in various countries, including the United States and throughout Europe, may further exacerbate these risks. The lead up to these elections and their outcomes could result in sharp shifts in domestic, economic, and foreign policy approaches or significant changes in, and uncertainty with respect to, legislation and regulation directly affecting us and our business, including tax incentives for the solar industry. Actions taken by new administrations may have an adverse effect on our industry and business, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth.
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.