ISRAEL BONDS AT 75
75 moments, milestones, and insights
from a global legacy of support for Israel.
MILESTONES &
FOUNDING MOMENTS
1.
May 10, 2026, Israel Bonds celebrated 75 years of global support for the State of Israel.
3.
On May 14, 1948, Israel declares Independence. A moment 2,000 years in the making culminating with David Ben-Gurion’s electrifying announcement:
“The State of Israel
has arisen.”
2.
Seventy-five shines as a Diamond Jubilee, the traditional term for a 75-year milestone of enduring achievement.
4.
Two years after declaring independence, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion convened the Israel Bonds founding conference in September 1950 at Jerusalem’s King David Hotel, bringing together American and Israeli Jewish leaders to explore new ways for Jews worldwide to support the young State of Israel financially.*
5.
In the room where it happened… at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, a plaque commemorates the founding conference of Israel Bonds. The inscription reads: “In this hall on September 3, 1950, a conference convened by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion… made the historic decision to establish the worldwide Israel Bonds program.”
6.
On May 10, 1951, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion launched Israel Bonds, in New York City.*
7.
The official launch of Israel Bonds took place at Madison Square Garden in New York, on May 10, 1951 where over 20,000 supporters attended the major event.*
8.
Supporters at the Madison Square Garden launch event indicated $35 million in early interest to invest in Israel Bonds.
9.
Then (1951): The first ever Israel Bonds series offered to the public was called the “Independence Issue.”
10.
Now (2026): Israel Bonds has many different offerings with names like Jubilee, Maccabee, Sabra, Shalom and Mazel Tov among others.
11.
The Promise of an Israel Bond:
“The State of Israel, for value received, hereby promises to pay the owner…” the opening words of the first Israel bond issue.
12.
Israel Bonds introduced the world’s first formal diaspora bond program in 1951, pioneering a way for global supporters to invest directly in Israel’s growth.
ISRAEL BONDS
& HOW THEY WORK
13.
An Israel bond is a loan made to the State of Israel, and in return a bond is issued as proof of that loan.
17.
Rates for Israel bonds are determined twice per month, except Mazel Tov, and eMazel Tov bonds which are determined once per month.
14.
In exchange for the loan, the State of Israel pays interest to bondholders and repays the full principal amount at the end of the bond’s term.
18.
Israel bonds are available with a range of maturity terms from one year to fifteen years, depending on the bond type.
15.
Israel bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Israel.
19.
Israel bonds pay interest in two ways: either in regular semi-annual payments or as a single lump sum at maturity.
16.
The State of Israel sets the interest rates and terms for all Israel bonds.
20.
Israel bonds are available in multiple currencies, including USD, CAD, Euros, & British pounds, depending on the market in which they are purchased.
21.
Every paper Israel bond certificate bore the signature of the sitting Prime Minister of Israel at the time of issue, linking each bond to the country’s leadership.
24.
Israel bonds can also be
purchased online.
22.
Since the late 2000s, Israel Bonds no longer issues paper certificates for most investors, bonds are now issued electronically in book entry form, with physical certificates available only in special cases.
25.
Israel Bonds are sold exclusively in the diaspora and are not available in Israel.
23.
When purchasing Israel bonds by cheque, the payment is made directly to the “State of Israel.”
26.
One of our newest bonds is called the eMazel Tov Bond. It’s available exclusively online and is a popular gift with a symbolic base price of $36–double chai!
GROWTH, SCALE
& IMPACT
27.
Since 1951, Israel has consistently made all capital & interest payments on Israel Bonds.
30.
In 1973, Egypt and Syria’s devastating surprise attack on Yom Kippur prompts a surge in support. Annual Israel Bonds sales surpass $500 million.
28.
Israel Bonds has operated continuously for the last 75 years through wars, economic crises, and pandemics.
31.
In 1980, Israel Bonds surpasses a major milestone as cumulative investments since inception exceed $5 billion.
29
Following Israel’s 1967 victory over the armies of Egypt, Syria, & Jordan in the Six-Day War, a wave of solidarity expressed through Israel Bonds results in a new annual sales record, exceeding $200 million.
32.
Building on the $5 billion milestone of the previous decade, cumulative Israel Bonds sales since 1951 double to $10 billion in 1990.
33.
In 2004 the Bank of Israel published a report assessing over 50 years of Israel Bonds, affirming the program’s importance at the time as “not just as a stable source for raising external capital, but also for meeting other important goals (including) diversification of sources - particularly during times when the government of Israel finds it difficult to raise funds from external sources.”
36.
In the 30 days following October 7, 2023, Israel Bonds generated
$1 billion dollars
in global sales.
34.
In 2017, worldwide sales of Israel bonds reached $40 Billion USD since inception.
37.
In the two and a half years since October 7, 2023, over $7.7 billion USD were invested in
Israel Bonds globally.
35.
As of May 2026, global sales of Israel bonds exceeded $57 Billion USD since inception.
38.
Since the launch of Israel Bonds online sales platforms in the US, Canada and Europe hundreds of millions in transactions have been processed globally.
GLOBAL REACH
& CONNECTION
39.
Israel Bonds sales help strengthen ties between Israel and the Jewish diaspora.
42.
There are 3 Israel Bonds offices across Europe; the UK, France and Germany.
40.
Israel Bonds operates across the United States with 18 offices.
43.
There are 2 Israel Bonds offices in Latin America; Brazil and Mexico.
41.
There are 5 Israel Bonds offices across Canada.
44.
The Israel Bonds office in Germany opened in 1956, nine years ahead of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany.
45.
In 2000, 450 Jewish leaders joined Israel Bonds for a unique delegation in Morocco. Participants from the United States, Canada, Latin America, & Europe filled 18 busses and visited Casablanca, Marrakesh, Meknes and to Fez & even met with the king.
47.
Israel Bonds has held dozens of delegations,
connecting supporters with Israel on a personal and professional level.
46.
During the 2000 Israel Bonds delegation to Morocco, participants travelled on a special charter flight from Fez to Tel Aviv, an uncommon journey at a time when there were no regular direct commercial flights
between the countries.
48.
In May 2022, Israel Bonds led the historic “Footsteps of the Abraham Accords” delegation. a 10-day journey to the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel that became the first Bonds delegation ever to convene in an Arab country in the Middle East since the signing of the Abraham Accords.
PEOPLE, LEADERSHIP
& SUPPORTERS
49.
Number of distinct individuals who have served as Prime Minister since Israel Bonds was founded in 1951 is 12: Ben-Gurion, Sharett, Eshkol, Meir, Rabin, Shamir, Peres, Begin, Netanyahu, Barak, Sharon, Olmert, Bennett, Lapid.
50.
A dedicated champion of Israel Bonds, Golda Meir remarked in 1957, “The central role in building our economic strength has been played by Israel Bonds.”*
51.
At the Israel Bonds 50th anniversary celebration, keynote speaker Shimon Peres, protégé of founder David Ben-Gurion, reflected on the vision of his mentor and praised the organization’s enduring role in advancing Israel’s economic growth and stability.*
52.
Prior to his appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Norway in 1997 by President Clinton, David Hermelin served as an International Chair of Israel Bonds.
53.
Warren Buffett, regarded as one of the world’s savviest investors, made a personal $5 million investment in Israel Bonds, describing it in 2016 as “a deserved endorsement of a remarkable country.”
54.
Reflecting on Israel’s history and his long-standing perspective, Warren Buffett stated in 2018: “I’ve lived through Israel’s entire 70-year history, and I believe it is one of the most remarkable countries in the world.”
55.
Albert Einstein purchased the 200,000th Israel Bond from Yael Sharett, daughter of Israel's second prime minister, on October 30, 1951.*
56.
Golda Meir joined Israel Bonds in honouring former First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, a devoted supporter of Israel Bonds, with an award at a Women’s Division luncheon.*
57.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel and Stephen Spielberg, have both been recipients of Israel Bonds Holocaust Remembrance Awards.*
58.
High-profile supporters of Israel Bonds have included Salvador Dalí, Elizabeth Taylor, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra among many others.*
WOMEN’S
DIVISION
59.
Israel Bonds has an active Women’s Division around the world. From the earliest days of Israel Bonds, the Women’s Division has been an integral, indispensable aspect of the Israel Bonds success story.
60.
The first Women's Division delegation arrived in Israel in 1952, just one year after the founding of Israel Bonds.*
61.
The UK officially established its own Women’s Division in 2019, with Latin America, France & Germany following suit.
CULTURE, RECOGNITION
& LEGACY MOMENTS
62.
The Israel Bonds logo features the Sovereign Crest of the State of Israel, the official national emblem,reflecting the organization’s unique status as a program operating under the full authorization of the State of Israel.
63.
Israel Bonds Way — New York City: In Manhattan, a section of 52nd Street at Lexington Avenue is co-named “Israel Bonds Way.”*
64.
Israel Bonds Way — Jerusalem: On the grounds of the King David Hotel, where the founding conference was held, an area was dedicated as “Israel Bonds Way” in 2008.
65.
Following the launch of Israel Bonds in 1951, Israel issued a commemorative stamp honouring the inaugural Independence Issue.
66.
In recognition and appreciation of Israel Bonds’ role over the past 75 Years, Israel has issued a limited-edition commemorative stamp.
67.
Israel Bonds commemorated its 25th anniversary with coins issued by the Israel Government Mint. It released commemorative gold and silver coins featuring a stylized Star of David and the inscription "25 Years State of Israel Bonds" in Hebrew and English.*
68.
In 1996 an Israel Bonds delegation buried a time capsule in the gardens of Jerusalem’s King David Hotel, site of the historic 1950 founding conference. Containing numerous artifacts accumulated throughout the decades, the capsule is scheduled for opening in 2176.
69.
In celebration of Israel Bonds 60th anniversary a book titled “Not Just a Bond: A Bond with Israel; The 60 Year Legacy of State of Israel Bonds” was published chronicling the history and impact of Israel Bonds.
70.
The Knesset honoured Israel Bonds as the country celebrated its 60th year of independence in May 2008. An Israel Bonds delegation was invited to attend the session.
71.
When the Pan American Maccabi Games were held in Mexico City in 2019, Israel Bonds was among the corporate sponsors of the event. As one of the regional Maccabi Games held alongside the Maccabiah, the event brings together Jewish athletes from across the Americas.
72.
In 2019, Israel Bonds in Germany was the corporate sponsor of the German team at the European Maccabi Games held in Hungary & continues an ongoing partnership with Maccabi Germany.
73.
In January 2019, hundreds attended the first-ever Jewish Women’s Business Network conference at the London Stock Exchange, sponsored by Israel Bonds UK, which culminated with a prestigious market opening.
74.
In September 2023, Israel Bonds Germany, together with New Leadership Chair Stephan Fichtner, attended the grand opening of the Abraham Accords Institute for Peace and Regional Integration in Berlin, an organization founded in 2022 during a visit by Israel’s President Isaac Herzog. Ambassadors from around the world were in attendance, including representatives from Morocco, the UAE, and Israel.
75.
In the UK, Israel Bonds sponsors the Bnei Mitzvah Charity Challenge, where parents and their 12- and 13-year-olds climb some of the region’s tallest mountains, celebrating their milestone with courage, community, and tzedakah.
*Photo Credit: Not just a bond: A bond with Israel, 2010