Day by day, the cost of the necessary war we fought against Iran and its nuclear ambitions becomes clearer. Such is the case with the Iranian ballistic missile strike on Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, which caused severe damage to the only medical center in the Negev, gravely affecting healthcare services provided to over a million residents in the region.
This vital institution, which also houses Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s laboratories and groundbreaking research facilities, suffered not only physical damage but also long-term scientific and research setbacks.
The missile directly hit the surgical hospitalization building and completely destroyed it. The widespread blast damage also affected nearby buildings, most of which are now unfit for use. Soroka’s teams have since done everything possible to repair some of the destruction, and the hospital has resumed partial operations, but as of now, only 25% of its hospital beds are in use.
The Negev’s residents are now left with only partial healthcare services, provided under conditions unworthy of a developed country. Some patients are hospitalized in temporary wards; some are still in basements, under harsh conditions, without showers. Eight operating rooms – about a third of the hospital’s surgical capacity – are non-functional.
According to official estimates, including that of Soroka’s CEO, Prof. Shlomi Kudish, approximately one billion shekels will be required to rehabilitate the hospital. So far, only a small advance has been received from the Finance Ministry, alongside donations from philanthropic funds and corporate donors covering the urgent financial needs for reconstruction.
The heavy financial burden of reconstruction
Even if the government fully commits to the rehabilitation efforts, it cannot handle this burden alone. We must remember the enormous weight currently on the government due to the war and the reconstruction efforts. The Bank of Israel has estimated that the cost of the war between 2023 and 2025 could reach approximately NIS 253 billion (about $67 billion). This sum represents around 10% of Israel’s GDP. At the same time, military expenditure has skyrocketed and is expected to double.
While most costs are military, the costs of rehabilitation and civilian damages are also extremely high. These include expenses for evacuation, reconstruction, infrastructure, and healthcare, as well as the costs of housing displaced people in the North and South.
Although Israel’s economy has shown remarkable resilience during the war, these heavy expenses have led to a rise in the budget deficit and the debt-to-GDP ratio, partly due to the loss of tax revenues, business closures, and damage to economic growth in 2023-2024.
Moreover, many experts believe that the rehabilitation of Soroka Medical Center should be used as an opportunity to upgrade and modernize its infrastructure, making it more resilient for future security needs. This further increases the cost of rehabilitation.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve the hospital: building fortified wings, improving hospitalization conditions, and upgrading medical equipment. Only in this way can we ensure the safety of residents, soldiers, doctors, and patients in the future.
Another factor must be considered. It will take at least five years to build another hospital in the Negev, likely longer due to Israeli bureaucracy. Although all plans have been approved, budgets allocated, and an operational model agreed upon, building a large medical center takes time.
This means that for the coming years, the residents of the Negev – including those moving there following the IDF bases’ relocation – will have to rely on a single hospital. Assuta Hospital, recently inaugurated and providing limited assistance to Soroka, cannot be considered a serious alternative.
The Jewish Diaspora can help
This is where the Jewish Diaspora comes in. It has already played a significant role in funding home-front activities since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War on October 7, 2023. It has done so with generosity and from a profound sense of shared destiny and national solidarity.
Now, the Jewish Diaspora is once again called upon to assist the people of Zion in rehabilitating the only hospital in the Negev.
For generations, Jewish communities around the world have stood by Israel during times of trial and contributed greatly to its prosperity and development. The tireless support of Jewish communities abroad, including significant donations from philanthropist families and organizations to hospitals across Israel, has been a cornerstone of the nation’s strength.
Beyond that, American Jewry, in particular, has played a vital role in advancing Israel’s hi-tech industry through a vast network of connections, investments, and venture capital. This shared destiny and mutual pride in a thriving Jewish homeland underscore the deep connection between Israel and the Diaspora.
A strong and confident Israel is an asset for all of us – those who live in Israel and those who live abroad. For Diaspora Jews, a flourishing Israel means a strong and proud Jewish identity. When Israel builds, creates, and saves lives, it strengthens Jewish pride everywhere. Rehabilitating Soroka is an investment in a shared Jewish future, one in which Israel continues to be a beacon for the Jewish people.
The rehabilitation of Soroka is not merely a local matter, and Soroka itself is far more than just a hospital. It is a leading research institution, the academic arm of Ben-Gurion University, a central pillar of Israel’s healthcare system, and a cornerstone of national security.
Its rehabilitation is therefore a national mission, and as such, the Jewish Diaspora must take part in it, as another milestone in the ongoing partnership between Israel and the Jewish world.
We call on our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora to once again stand with us. Your immediate support is essential to rehabilitate this critical medical center, which serves as an anchor for the entire Negev region and stands on the front line in the South.
It is the first to treat the wounded arriving from the bloody battlefields of Gaza. It is the first to receive civilian casualties when rockets hit civilian areas. Let us ensure that Soroka can continue to provide life-saving care and groundbreaking research for all its residents, including the soldiers serving in Gaza and the southern region.
We call on Diaspora Jews to give generously to the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Soroka Medical Center. Your partnership will not only help rebuild essential infrastructure but also strengthen the bond between Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. Let us act now to ensure the health and safety of the Negev’s residents.
The writer is a public activist and chair of the Israel for the Negev association.