Guinness lifts ban on Israeli record attempts as 2,000 kidney donors break record in Jerusalem
The Matnat Chaim charity brought together donors at an event addressed by Israel's president
Guinness World Records has confirmed that it has lifted its restrictions on record-breaking submissions from Israel and the Palestinian territories, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog praising the policy reversal during a speech at a record-breaking event celebrating kidney donors in Jerusalem.
Approximately 2,000 voluntary kidney donors came together for an event hosted at the Knesset, organised by Matnat Chaim, an Israeli charity founded in 2009 to help those needing a kidney in order to survive.
As reported by Jewish News in December, the charity had approached Guinness World Records for consideration as a world record setting event, only to be told at the time that the organisation was not accepting submissions from Israel, as well as Gaza and the West Bank.
However, as mentioned in a speech by Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, at the event on Sunday, the GWR’s policy, in place since late 2023, has since been revised, enabling the submission to be considered by the organisation.
“Here and now, nearly 2,000 voluntary kidney donors are gathered together in one place, from every different walk of life in Israel. Thank you, Matnat Chaim – truly a ‘gift of life’”, said President Herzog, referring to the English translation of the charity’s name.
Herzog went on to say that “this is absolutely a world record. A world record for humanity, a world record for solidarity. A world record for the deep and full commitment to one another, the selflessness, the deep love of life and of people that is so deeply embodied in our nation.
“I was happy to learn that the flawed decision to reject the submission [by] the Guinness Book of World Records, simply because it came from Israel, was reversed, and now it is officially a world record.”
Approached by Jewish News for confirmation, a spokesperson for Guinness World Records confirmed that “As of our most recent review…GWR is again accepting applications for world records from the Palestinian Territories and Israel.”
The Matnat Chaim charity described the event on social media, saying that “the beautiful faces of Israel: men and women who chose to perform a noble altruistic act, gathering for a historic meeting of appreciation and gratitude. In the presence of the President of the State, the Mayor of Jerusalem, the President of the organisation, and other esteemed guests.
“Over 2,000 kidney donors today are proving to us more than anything – when we’re together, there’s no record we won’t break.”
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