Israeli Business Leader Shmuel Haralaf Dies at 82

Dr. Shmuel Haralaf, a prominent Israeli businessman and philanthropist, passed away at the age of 82. Haralaf was known for his leadership as chairman of the car importer CalMobil and for his unique blend of academic philosophy, business management, and pioneering technology investments. Born in 1944, he held a PhD in philosophy from Harvard University and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he also taught in the late 1970s.

In the early 1980s, Haralaf joined his family business and actively led CalMobil's growth into one of Israel's leading companies. He was an early investor in Mobileye and was deeply involved in philanthropy. In 2025, Haralaf and his wife donated $10 million to the Weizmann Institute of Science to help rebuild after significant damage caused by Iranian missile attacks. Shortly thereafter, they contributed approximately 600 million shekels to Beilinson Hospital, marking the largest donation to Israel's healthcare system at that time. This funding was designated for a new heart and brain medical center named the "Tower of Hope."

Throughout his life, Haralaf published numerous articles on economic, social, political, and technological issues in Israeli media. He was also an avid athlete, completing three full marathons starting with the New York Marathon at age 60, and competed in the European rowing championships. His legacy is marked by his contributions to business, academia, philanthropy, and sports.