Registry
Does Subaru support Israel?
Subaru Corporation
Subaru does business in Israel — we found records of its operations there, but no record of donations, aid, or a public statement of support. Every claim below links to its source.
Filed under: Car & automotive brands · Companies that support Israel
Background
Subaru's place in this record is historical: from 1968-69 until the late 1980s it was effectively the only Japanese car brand available in Israel, because Fuji Heavy Industries — with little to lose in Arab markets — chose to sell openly while larger rivals honored the Arab League boycott. Daihatsu and Suzuki began selling indirectly through third countries in 1983 and 1985, and Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Honda entered only from 1988-1992. Subaru vehicles are still sold in Israel by Japanauto, the independent Israeli importer that has held the franchise since the 1960s; the importer's actions are not Subaru Corporation's. No modern corporate donations, investments in Israeli companies, or statements of support by Subaru Corporation were found.
Hagerty — How Subaru became the people's car of Israel Times of Israel Blogs — Boycotts and Boycotts (Jacob Sivak) Fershtman & Gandal (Tel Aviv University) — The Effect of the Arab Boycott on Israel: The Automobile Market (1998)
Documented records
| Type | Date | Amount | Recipient | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operations in Israel | 1968 | — | Israeli car market (via independent importer Japanauto) Fuji Heavy Industries (renamed Subaru Corporation in 2017) began exporting Subaru cars to Israel in 1968-69 through the independent Israeli importer Japanauto, and for roughly two decades remained the only Japanese carmaker openly selling in Israel while Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Honda complied with the Arab League's secondary boycott. A March 1988 JTA report described Fuji Heavy Industries as the only Japanese carmaker exporting openly to Israel, with 20,000 Subarus sold there in 1987. Subaru's near-monopoly made it a cultural icon in Israel — the brand name became shorthand for 'car,' and the larger Japanese makers only entered openly from 1988-1992 as the boycott collapsed. The export decision was Fuji Heavy's; retail distribution was and is handled by the independent importer Japanauto. |
Frequently asked questions
Did Subaru donate money to Israel or Israeli causes?
We have no records of donations. What is on record is commercial activity in Israel (Operations in Israel), which is not the same as support — see the records on this page.
Where does this information come from?
Every record on this page links to its source — news reports, official company statements, tax filings, or government records. 4 distinct sources are cited for Subaru. Our methodology page explains the full verification process.
Sources & citations
Record last updated: 2026-09-26
- Jewish Telegraphic Agency (archive, 1988) — Japanese want to sell to Israel, but are afraid to break boycott jta.org
- Hagerty — How Subaru became the people's car of Israel hagerty.com
- Fershtman & Gandal (Tel Aviv University) — The Effect of the Arab Boycott on Israel: The Automobile Market (1998) tau.ac.il
- Times of Israel Blogs — Boycotts and Boycotts (Jacob Sivak) blogs.timesofisrael.com