Gold and Silver for Israel at International Chemistry Olympiad

In a remarkable display of talent and perseverance, Israel’s National Chemistry Team brought home four prestigious medals at this year’s International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), held in the United Arab Emirates. Competing against the world’s best and brightest, these four Israeli high school students claimed two gold and two silver medals proving once again that excellence in science knows no borders.

The IChO 2025 saw 354 students from 90 countries take part in one of the most challenging scientific competitions on the planet. Representing Israel were Itamar Ben Shmuel from Ramat Gan, Yonatan Gontmakher from Rishon LeZion, Yehonadav Marienberg from Mazkeret Batya, and Omer Zachary Ben-Ami from Tel Aviv. The results were stellar: golds for Ben Shmuel and Gontmakher, and silvers for Marienberg and Ben-Ami.

These young minds were prepared through a rigorous national program led by the Education Ministry in partnership with the Maimonides Fund’s Future Scientists Center. Their training took place at the Technion’s Department of Chemistry under the guidance of Prof. Zeev Gross and Dr. Reut Shapira, with additional support from Dr. Eyal Barnea and Dr. Zack Patrick Sarcel, who accompanied the team to the UAE.

For Yonatan Gontmakher, the journey was deeply personal. “Preparing for the International Olympiad taught me just as much about myself as it did about atoms and molecules,” he said. “There’s no better feeling than raising the Israeli flag on stage with a gold medal around my neck.”

Omer Zachary Ben-Ami, who won silver, reflected on the emotional gravity of the win. “Less than 48 hours after the ceasefire with Iran, we were back in the lab practicing,” he noted. “This isn’t just about us it’s about every Israeli who supported us, every mentor who believed in us.”

Education Minister Yoav Kisch called their success a testament to Israel’s forward-thinking education system. “We are not waiting for success we are building it,” he stated. “Each medal is the result of persistence, deep curiosity, and a national commitment to empowering our students.”

Chair of the Maimonides Fund’s Future Scientists Center, Yarom Ariav, said the winners embody the future of Israel’s scientific innovation, while Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan added his hopes that these champions will continue their studies at the Technion.

In a world where Israel is often in the headlines for conflict and politics, this achievement shines as a powerful reminder of the nation’s quiet strength: its commitment to nurturing brilliance, even in times of uncertainty.

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