Shlomo Ben Ami - the public security minister and a leading member of the government's negotiating team with the Palestinians - has, by contrast, been damaged by his association with Ehud Barak.

BBC: Barak's party stripped of power

By contrast, the British Venture Capital association (BVCA), which represents both venture capital firms and buyout firms, was first founded over 25 years ago and the European Venture Capital Association (EVCA) has been operating since 1983.

FORBES: Private Equity's Public Image Issues