Samuel Haralap, Israeli Automotive Business Leader and Philanthropist, Dies at 81

Dr. Samuel Haralap, chairman and owner of the prominent Israeli automotive group CalMobil, passed away this Wednesday morning at age 81 after a prolonged illness. CalMobil, founded in the early 1960s, is Israel's largest and oldest vehicle importer, representing about 25% of the market with an annual turnover exceeding 10 billion shekels. Under Haralap's leadership, the family business expanded to import Mercedes-Benz light and heavy vehicles, Hyundai group brands, and more recently Chinese brands such as JAC and Omoda from Chery Group, which have become market leaders in the past two years.

Haralap, who held a PhD in philosophy from Harvard University, was also an early and significant investor in Mobileye. Beyond business, he was a noted philanthropist; in August 2025, he and his wife Anat donated approximately $180 million (around 600 million shekels) to establish the "Tower of Hope" at Beilinson Hospital, marking the largest donation in the history of Israel's public healthcare system. This followed another major contribution to the Weizmann Institute to aid recovery from damage caused by an Iranian missile.

CalMobil's activities extend beyond vehicle import and distribution to include financing, insurance services, trade-in operations, and expansion into solar energy and battery recycling. Haralap was vocal about the need for social cohesion and a sustainable peace agreement in Israel, especially in light of recent conflicts and economic challenges.

In a joint interview with his wife published about a year ago, Haralap reflected on his transition from academia to business, explaining how he revitalized the family company starting in the early 1980s by broadening its vehicle portfolio and relocating operations from Haifa to Tel Aviv. He is survived by his son, Asaf Haralap.