Israel maintained a visible presence at one of the world’s largest technology gatherings this week despite the ongoing war with Iran and heightened security tensions at home.
The national Israeli pavilion opened at Mobile World Congress Barcelona, the world’s largest mobile and telecommunications technology exhibition, where Israeli companies are presenting innovations in communications, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.
1 View gallery
The national Israeli pavilion opened at Mobile World Congress Barcelona
(Photo: Israel Export Institute)
According to the Israel Export Institute, 25 Israeli companies were originally scheduled to participate in the pavilion, but only 15 ultimately arrived because of travel constraints related to the security situation. Despite the reduced delegation, organizers said professional activity at the pavilion is continuing as planned.
The pavilion is hosting a series of business-to-business meetings with international corporations, investors and strategic partners and is serving as a platform to showcase Israeli technology to global markets.
To ensure the pavilion could operate throughout the event, the Export Institute launched a special effort to recruit volunteers from the Israeli high-tech community across Europe. The initiative was carried out in cooperation with the Foreign Trade Administration at the Economy and Industry Ministry and led by Israel’s commercial attaché in Madrid.
Organizers also said security arrangements at the pavilion were significantly reinforced in coordination with local authorities.
People involved in organizing the pavilion said Israel’s presence this year carries particular significance not only commercially but symbolically, as the country seeks to demonstrate that economic activity and technological development continue despite the war.
Avi Balashnikov Photo: Israel Export Institute“Our presence here today, precisely at a time when those who seek our harm are trying to weaken and isolate us, is the ultimate Zionist response,” said Israel Export Institute Chairman Avi Balashnikov at the pavilion’s opening.
“Every Israeli company standing in Barcelona and every blue-and-white technology presented to the world is living proof of Israel’s national resilience and strength,” he said.
Balashnikov added that Israeli high-tech continues to play a leading role globally even during wartime. “We will never lower our heads, and we will never stop,” he said. “Israeli high-tech is the spearhead of modern Zionism. We will continue to build, create and proudly lead the global economy — because the eternity of Israel will not lie, and the people of Israel live.”
Mobile World Congress is considered one of the most important technology events in the world, drawing tens of thousands of participants from hundreds of countries each year. Industry observers say Israel’s participation this week sends a signal that the country intends to maintain economic continuity and global partnerships despite significant security challenges.