Israel and the EIB

The EIB has worked with Israel since 1981. The Bank operates in Israel in line with the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and other EU bilateral agreements.

The EIB has contributed to the development of Israel’s desalination programme by financing four public-private partnership (PPP) Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants, as well as the extension of an SWRO plant, via an EIB investment of €560 million. The newest plant, financed in 2020, is the largest desalination plant operating in the EU Southern Neighbourhood. Together, these plants provide 577 million cubic metres of water per year.

In April 2020, the EIB signed a collaboration with the Israel Innovation Authority and a €50 million financing agreement with Pluristem to develop therapies for COVID-19 and other unmet medical needs.

Through Innovfin Infectious Diseases, part of the Horizon 2020 programme, we also support Israel’s smart investments in basic research, an important catalyst for establishing globally leading industries in Europe. For example, in 2017, we invested in the development and production of BiondVax’s Universal Flu Vaccine Candidate designed to protect against current and future, seasonal and pandemic flu strains.

Another equity investment was made by the European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the EIB Group, in the ICV III fund to support seed and early stage companies promoting new technologies and business models.

At a glance

The EIB provides finance and expertise for sound and sustainable investment projects in Israel.

EIB stories in Israel

General stories speak louder than general policies. Discover how EIB activities have improved the quality of life in Israel.

19 August 2022 Maria Diamanti

Infrastructure Solutions: No wastewater to waste

Wastewater is not a problem. It is a highly valuable source of water, nutrients and energy. But more than 80% of all wastewater is wasted. We need to change how we treat it and make wastewater resource recovery a priority

Infrastructure Water Wastewater Germany Israel Belgium Singapore Namibia Africa, Caribbean, Pacific countries + OCT Mediterranean countries European Union Asia and Latin America Agriculture Climate action and environment Energy Circular economy Water, wastewater management
23 May 2022

The EIB supports innovation and water infrastructure in Israel

In Israel, the European Investment Bank is financing the worlds largest desalination project. As part of Team Europe, we are also supporting innovation in the med-tech sector.

The EIB has worked with Israel since 1981. The Bank operates in Israel in line with the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and other EU bilateral agreements.

Infrastructure Israel Mediterranean countries Research, innovation and technology Water, wastewater management
23 May 2022 Werner Hoyer

Give climate finance a chance

Environmental challenges impact chances for peace. That makes Palestinian climate finance crucial to the future of the people of the Middle East, writes our President

Management committee Israel Palestine* Mediterranean countries Development Climate action and environment Energy Institutional
10 December 2020 Chris Knight

Treat, test, vaccinate

Key investments support a full range of biotechnology and medical responses to the pandemic with COVID-19 vaccines, therapies, diagnostics

Covid-19 Germany Israel Finland Poland France Mediterranean countries European Union Research, innovation and technology Health and life sciences
5 May 2020 Janel Siemplenski Lefort

Placenta cells to fight COVID-19

Can placenta cell therapy cure COVID-19? Israeli-European firm Pluristem is on track to show how placenta cells help the body heal itself.

Venture debt Covid-19 Germany Israel Mediterranean countries European Union Innovation Research, innovation and technology Venture capital & equity Health and life sciences
30 April 2020

Supporting the fight against COVID-19: Israeli - European company Pluristem receives EU support

Pluristem is a regenerative medicine company with a focus on novel biological products to treat severe medical conditions such as COVID-19. It has signed a venture debt loan of €50 million with the European Investment Bank and is the first Israeli-European business to benefit from a guarantee from the European Fund for Strategic Investment. The financing will support the company’s research and development in the EU through its German subsidiary Pluristem GmbH.

More on the Press release.

Venture debt Covid-19 EFSI impact Germany Israel Mediterranean countries European Union Research, innovation and technology Venture capital & equity
19 September 2017

New life for the Dead Sea

Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians join to counter a regional water crisis and save the Dead Sea.

Water Wastewater Water security Israel Jordan Palestine* Mediterranean countries Climate Research, innovation and technology Migration Climate action and environment Water, wastewater management

Get EIB support in Israel

We can provide you with various type of financing to implement projects that promote growth and jobs in your country. We support small businesses, innovation, climate and infrastructure. Get an overview here for the whole EIB Group product range*

* These products refer to EIB activity worldwide and may not apply to EIB operations in the Southern Neighbourhood.

If you are a public authority and need a loan over €25m
Contact our headquarters

If you need a loan below €25m
Contact our local partners

For enquiries regarding the financing facilities, activity, organisation and objectives of the EIB
Contact the Information Desk
Tel. +352 4379-22000
Frequently asked questions

Contact our press officer

Press office
Tel. +352 4379-21000
press@eib.org
www.eib.org/press