Israel is experiencing a surge in data center investments as the demand for AI and cloud computing infrastructure grows, particularly highlighted during the World Digital Infrastructure Congress held in Cannes this week. Israeli real estate firms, energy companies, and various investors, including notable figures like Ofer Yanai and singer Omer Adam, are entering this market, spurred by the country’s advantages such as available land and relatively low electricity costs. The Israeli government has designated data centers as national infrastructure and is facilitating fast-track planning for AI-ready facilities, which reflects a broader global trend where tech giants are increasing investments in hyperscale data centers to meet the soaring demand for AI services. However, this rapid growth is also drawing criticism from environmental organizations concerned about energy security and the impact on open spaces.

Mega Or: Mega Or is a leading Israeli company in the data center sector, involved in multiple projects across the country. It has formed partnerships with major technology firms for AI-specific facilities and supercomputers, making it a central player in Israel’s expanding AI infrastructure market.
Omer Adam: Omer Adam is a prominent Israeli singer who has become a front-facing investor in the Anan Group. His involvement in data center developments, including facilities planned for AI workloads, has drawn significant industry interest and partnerships.
Rami Levy: Rami Levy leads a retail group that is now exploring data center construction on company-owned land. This move illustrates how established Israeli business figures are diversifying into data centers to participate in the AI-driven real estate boom.
Maor Malul: Maor Malul is a real estate entrepreneur and co-founder of the Anan Group. The group, backed by high-profile investors, is developing multiple data centers in Israel and securing contracts with AI infrastructure providers.
Ofer Yanai: Ofer Yanai is the controlling shareholder of Nofar Energy and a key investor in Israeli data centers. He recently acquired land specifically for building a new data center, highlighting the shift by energy executives into AI infrastructure as a high-value opportunity.
Alon Vulkan: Alon Vulkan is the CEO of Kardan Israel. He has publicly emphasized data centers as a major growth engine for the company, overseeing its move into server farm development alongside traditional real estate holdings.
Nofar Energy: Nofar Energy is an Israeli energy company with a controlling shareholder active in data center development. It is expanding into AI-related real estate by acquiring land for new data center projects, leveraging its background in renewables to enter the infrastructure space.
Azrieli Group: Azrieli Group is a major Israeli real estate company that has expanded internationally by acquiring data center operators. It now manages campuses in Europe, North America, and Israel leased to global hyperscalers, shifting focus toward data centers as a primary growth area amid slower mall revenues.
Daniel Efrati: Daniel Efrati is the CEO and co-founder of NED, a company specializing in building and operating data centers with expertise from telecom and technology finance. He emphasizes the technical and operational complexities of running AI-ready facilities in partnership with international operators.
Kardan Israel: Kardan Israel is an Israeli company primarily focused on income-producing real estate. It recently established a subsidiary to consolidate its activities in data centers, including existing stakes in facilities in Kfar Saba and Shoham, positioning the firm to capitalize on growing demand for AI infrastructure.
Eitan Yochananoff: Eitan Yochananoff is the controlling shareholder of the Yochananoff supermarket chain. He recently entered the data center market by purchasing land for a new campus, reflecting broader investor interest from diverse sectors in AI infrastructure.
Nissim Sariel-Gaon: Nissim Sariel-Gaon is an Israeli-Swiss businessman and co-founder of the Anan Group. He contributes to the group’s data center projects, which are attracting attention due to their scale and partnerships in the AI sector.

`json
{
“Global Demand”: “Major international technology companies are expanding data centers to support increasing requirements for AI and cloud computing.”,
“Government Support”: “The Israeli government recognises data centers as national infrastructure and has implemented expedited planning processes for substantial facilities designed for AI purposes.”,
“Environmental Scrutiny”: “Environmental groups are warning of potential risks to energy and environmental stability due to the rapid development of data centers.”
}
`