While Israel’s Beresheet spacecraft did not successfully land on the moon, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) congratulates Israel on becoming the seventh country to orbit the moon and first country to launch a privately funded mission to the moon.

The Beresheet spacecraft, which took off in Florida in February, attempted the landing earlier today before crashing on the moon. The mission was a joint project between SpaceIL, a privately funded non-profit organization, and Israel Aerospace Industries and cost a fraction of what past missions cost.

“This is a proud moment for the state of Israel and proof of how far the country has come in the areas of science, space and innovation,” said FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo. “Israel has truly paved the way for future lunar exploration. Surely, this will not be the last time the country makes its way to the moon.”

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Media Contact:‍

Avital Borisovsky
Communications Associate
416.864.9735 x 29
aborisovsky@fswc.ca