Naomi, from Ben Gurion University of the Negev, recently wrote the following about making seltzer at home in Israel:

You might want to investigate the history of the “sipholux” soda makers in Israel (which unfortunately seems to have gone out of business). We used to be able to get gas refills (called balonim in hebrew) until recently. I have no idea if this company originated in Europe. I have an early model silver filigreed soda maker (intact but unusable). Most Israelis have the soda stream brand now which I believe has made its way across the ocean and is much more than 2 cents plain.