NEW YORK — Israeli tech leaders in New York City announced on Monday the formation of a new hub, as the country’s tech scene continues to grow, despite growing political hostility to Israel in the city from Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other elected officials.

The new center, called “Hakibbutz NYC,” is located in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood and will serve as the first “permanent home” for Israeli startups, organizers said in a statement.

The facility will host events including investor gatherings, roundtable discussions, professional networking events and meetings between Israeli tech staff and US corporations, the statement said.

The project is a collaboration between Hakibbutz, an Israeli workspace hub, and the Israeli Mapped in NY, a platform that tracks and connects Israeli startups in the city.

Guy Franklin, the head of Israeli Mapped in NY, said the space on 26th Street will span 18,000 square feet, with plans to expand further.

Private sources are funding the project and there is no government involvement from Israel, the US or New York, Franklin said.

“Our goal is that no Israeli company arriving in New York should have to start from scratch. Instead, they should be able to immediately connect with a network of founders, investors, customers, and business partners,” he said.

One of the first companies to operate from the space is the Israeli cybersecurity firm Zafran Security, organizers said.

New York is a major destination........

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