True though Israel put its own satellites in space (the Amos program).

The cool thing about it was that was a pet project of a few scientists doing it just because it was cool rather than a proper national project

I doubt SpaceIL will be able to use anything they learned. IIUC they are out of money and can't move forward.

The prime minister of Isreal announced they'll try again in two years. So that judgment may be a little premature.

Regardless knowledge transfer isn't limited to either of those.

Is this a government venture or private? I read that it is private but then I see quotes about the PM like this.

Private but partially funded by the government; the PM was at the launch and had (before the crash) been trumpeting it as a success for the country as a whole

I understood incorrectly then. Nice to hear.

What he said was more along the lines of "I hope we'll try again in a couple of years", really non committing.

It doesn't make much difference any way. It's a private venture, his statement was just meant as cheer leading / consolation. I do hope they'll have another go, but it has very little to do with who's in government.