Mount Everest Conquered by Israeli Entrepreneur in Memory of Nova Massacre Victim

This past week, Israeli mountaineer and hi-tech entrepreneur Ran Kraus achieved a remarkable feat by reaching the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8,849 meters. His journey, marked by months of rigorous training and a grueling six-week climb, culminated in a poignant dedication to his late friend Matan Mordechai Lior, a victim of the Nova party massacre.

“I dedicate this exciting moment to my late friend Matan Mordechai Lior, who was murdered cruelly at the Nova party,” Kraus stated upon reaching the summit. Lior, a well-known figure in Israel’s music scene, was killed while heroically helping others escape during the attack at the Supernova music festival. As a key contributor to the festival's technical setup, Lior provided crucial directions towards emergency exits amid the chaos until he was tragically killed.

Kraus's achievement marks him as the 11th Israeli to summit Everest, accompanied by eight climbers from around the globe. To date, approximately 6,000 individuals have reached Everest’s peak. Kraus, who co-founded Airobotics, a leading company in automated drone technology, embarked on his expedition to Nepal at the beginning of April.

The preparation for Kraus’s climb was extensive, involving both physical and mental training. He spent eight weeks scaling various peaks in Israel, including Mount Hermon, to build his endurance and resilience. "It was a long and challenging journey unlike any other climb I’ve done in my life," Kraus reflected. "After six challenging weeks, I succeeded in fulfilling the goal, the objective, and the dream, and standing on the highest peak in the world."

His dedication to Lior underscores a personal victory imbued with profound significance. "I dedicate this exciting moment to my late friend Matan Mordechai Lior, who was brutally murdered while bravely assisting many others and saving many lives. My personal victory is another victory for the human spirit and the Israeli spirit," Kraus added, expressing gratitude to his sponsors Geely and Harel, and everyone who supported him over the past two years of preparation.

Kraus's mountaineering pursuits began in earnest in 2020 after a 12-year career in hi-tech. He set out to conquer the highest peaks on each continent, successfully climbing Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Russia, and Aconcagua in Argentina before taking on Everest.

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