Eyal Waldman backs Eisenkot, warns Netanyahu win could threaten Israel’s democracy, economy

Israeli hi-tech entrepreneur Eyal Waldman warned that Israel could face serious political and economic consequences if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wins the upcoming election, telling Maariv that continued political instability could drive more skilled Israelis to leave the country.

“If Bibi (Netanyahu) wins the election, I believe Israel will be in serious trouble: without a properly functioning police force and without a Supreme Court. Israel may cease to be a democracy. The departure of talented people from the country will increase. Those who are less talented will remain because they have no choice, and the economy will deteriorate,” Waldman said.

Waldman also expressed concern about long term developments involving parts of the settler movement and the haredi community, arguing that a change in government was necessary.

“I think we are facing a serious long term problem in terms of what is happening with some of the settlers in the territories and with the haredim. The solution is to have a different government. I hope Eisenkot wins the election, and then everything will be different.”

Waldman would enter politics if it was only option 'to save the country'

Waldman, whose daughter Danielle and her partner were murdered in the Nova music festival massacre on October 7, said he had received several offers to enter politics.

“I received several offers to enter politics, but not from Bibi, not from Smotrich, not from Ben Gvir, not from Goldknopf, and not from Shas. If I thought that was the last thing left to do to save the country, I would go into politics.”

Waldman, the founder of semiconductor company Mellanox Technologies, has long been a prominent figure in Israel’s hi-tech sector and in public debate.

In 2024, he was at the center of a controversy over an attempt to prevent him from receiving the Israel Prize for entrepreneurship after he was identified with the Kaplan anti-government protest movement. The effort was unsuccessful, and Waldman ultimately received the prize.

Selling Mellanox to Nvidia was 'right decision'

Waldman currently focuses his business activities through Waldo Holdings, a private investment company. He previously sold Mellanox to Nvidia for $7 billion.

“My investments are very diversified. I have real estate in Israel and around the world, investments in debt funds, private equity, and of course I also have enormous exposure to Nvidia. As part of the deal to sell Mellanox to Nvidia, I received part of the consideration in shares. I am very pleased with the investment.”

Waldman said he now viewed the Mellanox sale as the right decision, despite initially preferring to hold off on a deal.

“It is true that I would have preferred to wait and not sell, but today I think the deal was excellent, and the board’s decision was correct, including for all the shareholders. Nvidia, under the management of Jensen Huang, will expand its operations in Israel beyond the development center and will build a center in Tivon with 10,000 employees.”

Waldman also said he had been more optimistic than analysts about Nvidia’s growth and profitability, particularly as artificial intelligence continues to drive demand.

“Unlike the analysts, I expected an improvement in Nvidia’s profitability and business. The reports show how the world of AI is contributing to the company’s profitability. This is only the beginning, and AI has not even begun to realize its potential.”