Israel’s top hospital has landed in Boston — and is sparking backlash

Israel’s top hospital has launched a new AI-powered healthcare startup in Boston with backing from Healey management. The move sparked a backlash from activists who want the state to abandon its ties to Israel.

Sheba Medical Center, the largest hospital in the Middle East and located in Ramat Gan, Israel, opened its first US-based ARC program location in downtown Boston. AI healthcare incubator We support six international initiatives In its first cycle, it helps companies gain a foothold in a new market.

State records show officials have long supported Sheba ARC’s entry into Massachusetts, and the partnership was celebrated by Gov. Maura Healey last May. officially announced. Healey and Sheba leaders talked about health services as a way to build bridges in the midst of deep global division.

The organizers behind Outside Sheba MA campaign alleges that the state is using taxpayer resources to support an asset embedded in Israel’s military infrastructure. The group includes representatives from the Boston Democratic Socialists of America, Healthcare Workers for Palestine Boston, Jamaica Plain for Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace Boston, Massachusetts Peace Action, and the Boston Palestine Youth Movement.

Their campaigns largely reflect a years-long and larger divestment movement that has grown since then. war in Gaza. Activists do not want local governments to invest in Israel because of the genocide in Palestine.

In this case, the group describes Sheba’s entry into Boston as a “medical hasbara”; The term is used by Israeli officials to describe a perceived strategy to leverage healthcare to influence or defend public perception of the country globally.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Sheba Medical Center said in a statement that the hospital’s mission in Boston is to “accelerate life-saving health care technologies, deliver better health outcomes for Massachusetts patients and economic growth to our local economy.”

Public records obtained by MassLive showed evidence of Massachusetts government officials traveling to Israel last year, as well as government incentives to apply for up to $5 million in tax credits to the Sheba ARC program.

According to state officials, Massachusetts has not provided any financial support to Sheba ARC at this point.

Chloe Frankel, a Jewish social worker from Newton who is part of the campaign, said Sheba Medical Center’s origins and its ongoing role as a military hospital serving the Israel Defense Forces as well as civilians mean the organization is closely tied to the Israeli government.

“Frankly, I think it’s a bit of a shame that Massachusetts is pursuing a partnership with Israel right now,” Frankel said.

Opposition campaign There is an online petition He addressed the Healey administration with more than 3,800 signatures. They also hosted protests and a “death” ceremony in front of Sheba and the offices of the Israeli Consulate General in New England.

“When I saw Healey’s press conference (last year), I was surprised to see how stunned he was and how oblivious he was to why this was going to be a disgusting partnership that shouldn’t have happened,” said Randy Wurtser, an activist from West Roxbury. “He ignores all these crimes and exonerates them.”

Sheba’s spokesperson said the hospital “consistently ranks among the best hospitals in the world and is internationally recognized as an ‘Oasis of Peace’ in the Middle East for its humanitarian efforts on behalf of the entire region.”

“Sheba has a long history of treating Israeli and Palestinian patients, publishing lifesaving research, and participating in a wide range of global health studies,” the spokesperson said. “Health serves as a bridge between people and nations, and Sheba Medical Center will continue to act in this spirit to promote a better shared future.”

Healey’s office did not comment on this story and instead referred a reporter to the administrative offices of both Economic Development and Public Safety and Security.

An economic development spokesperson said Massachusetts “is a global leader in innovation and a launch pad for international companies looking to grow and invest in the United States.”

“We are committed to being a welcoming partner to international businesses, helping them start, hire and expand here by working across sectors, connecting them with the resources and talent needed for long-term growth and competitiveness,” the spokesperson said.

What is Sheba doing in Boston?

Sheba Medical Center, which has the world’s first artificial intelligence-supported emergency room, first announced its new initiative in the USA last May.

It officially launched its “soft landing pad” in Boston last month. six selected international initiatives We are working to transform healthcare delivery through artificial intelligence and digital solutions.

The Boston center joins an existing network of ARC (Accelerate, Redesign, Collaborate) programs in London, Melbourne, Singapore, Berlin and New Zealand.

Sheba Medical Center is expected to benefit from Massachusetts’ world-class healthcare institutions, clinical research and technology innovations. ARC methodology and global platform.

Some of the technologies being developed by ARC Boston companies include real-time molecular imaging for tumor removal, AI-powered cardiac ultrasound software, and brain-computer interfaces for treating PTSD and mental illness.

Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll argued the partnership is a way to strengthen the state’s “innovation-driven economy” and improve global health outcomes.

Business trip to Israel

The Sheba Out of MA campaign criticizes a business trip to Israel last Dec. 7-12 by Jeevan Ramapriya, director general of the state’s Office of International Trade and Investment, and Susan Terrey, a Massachusetts homeland security adviser.

Records show that the trip, which included a visit to Sheba Medical Center, cost about $5,000 per person and was organized and financed by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli Consulate in New England.

While government employees are generally prohibited from accepting gifts over $50, there is an exception for travel that serves a “legitimate public purpose.”

The state confirmed the trip to MassLive and said Ramapriya and Terrey were part of a bipartisan delegation of representatives from across New England.

The purpose of the trip, according to the Executive Office of Economic Development, was to strengthen economic, cultural and security ties between New England and Israel, including opportunities for cooperation in life sciences, healthcare and innovation.

Tax credits offered

Records also show that in March 2025, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center expressed “the strongest possible support” for Sheba ARC to come to the state, noting that the center’s for-profit partners could qualify for up to $5 million in tax credits (calculated at $20,000 per new job created) between 2026 and 2030.

In addition, the state’s Life Sciences Center determined that Sheba ARC is potentially eligible for several capital grants, including $5 million for research infrastructure, $750,000 for data science projects, and $750,000 for women’s health collaborations.

Such communications are part of the standard agreement with life sciences companies exploring growth or expansion in Massachusetts, according to the state.

“No mass tax dollars should be committed, allocated or offered to the Sheba ARC,” Frankel said. “Our ultimate goal is to get them out of Massachusetts, and the movement is growing.”

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