Prominent Israeli businessman, philanthropist Dr. Shmuel Harlap dies at 82

Dr. Shmuel Harlap, a towering figure in Israeli business and philanthropy, passed away at his home Tuesday night at the age of 82.

Harlap was best known as the chairman of Colmobil, the importer for brands including Mercedes, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Jaecoo, Omoda, and ORA. Under his leadership, the company grew into the largest player in the Israeli market, expanding into energy, recycling, and real estate.

Beyond his automotive ventures, Harlap was a visionary tech investor. He was one of the earliest backers of Mobileye, a company that achieved a significant valuation when acquired by Intel, reportedly netting Harlap around $1 billion. He also invested in emerging technologies like the eVTOL developer AIR.

Harlap's influence extended deeply into philanthropy, particularly in science and medicine. Alongside his wife Anat, he made substantial donations, including 120 cars to residents evacuated from Gaza border communities after October 7. In 2025, they gifted $10 million to the Weizmann Institute of Science. Their most significant contribution was approximately 600 million NIS to Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus for a new heart and brain medical center named "Hope Tower."

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His story is an extraordinary one in the local business landscape, blending the worlds of academia and philosophy, business management, groundbreaking tech investments, writing on social and economic affairs, and his identity as a marathoner and a man of giving.