Copyright: ארכיון קרית גת [CC BY 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)]
Intel Corporation is among the pioneers in Israeli Hi-Tech and has long operated a development center in Haifa, a legacy fabrication facility (8″/200mm wafers) in Jerusalem, and an advanced fabrication facility (12″/300mm wafers) in the town of Kiryat Gat in the Western Negev. Many of the most advanced Intel processors were developed and manufactured in Israel and Intel’s spirit of excellence above all pervades all Israeli high technology. While advanced IC (integrated circuit) manufacturing only a few kilometers from the volatile Gaza border was at time challenging with some equipment suppliers suspending maintenance visits due to security concerns, the high quality of the Israeli work force and the unquestionable commitment of successive Israeli governments to educational excellence in STEM and in support for the Israeli hi-tech base made it apparently worthwhile for Intel Corporation to not only maintain, but expend its Israeli operations.
While final details are still being worked out, Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon has just announced a major US$ 10.8 billion Intel investment in its fabrication facility in Kiryat Gat. The announcement is particularly important in the face of attempts by the Irish Parliament to placate the anti-Semitic BDS movement by legislating a boycott of Israeli goods and services. Ireland is another Intel host country and by expanding manufacturing in Israel rather than in Ireland, Intel is sending a clear message to the Irish that their attempts at discrimination will only result in significant harm to Ireland and no one else.
Further details on the proposed Intel expansion in Israel can be found in the Israel financial publication Globes.
