Ministry of Finance
Israeli-media coverage mentioning Ministry of Finance, translated into English and compared across sources. 48 recent stories.
Israel Launches $8.5 Billion Metro Procurement Amid US Pressure to Exclude Chinese Firms
Israel's NTA has started a 30 billion shekel tender for the Tel Aviv metro's second phase, aiming for fully autonomous trains. The US government pressures Israel to exclude Chines…
Tel Aviv Metro Project Advances to Selecting Autonomous Train and Systems Providers
NTA has launched the Infra 2 phase of the Tel Aviv Metro project to select suppliers for autonomous trains and systems, following a successful infrastructure tender. The fully aut…
Israel Ranks Last in Education Spending Efficiency Among Developed Countries
Israel spends the highest share of GDP on education among developed countries but ranks last in spending efficiency based on PISA test results. Despite reforms, Israeli students p…
Israeli Car Market Awaits Post-Election Tax Reforms Amid Budget Deficit Concerns
Israel's automotive sector faces uncertainty as key tax reforms on green vehicles are postponed until after elections amid a growing budget deficit. The government is exploring ne…
Senior Israeli Finance Officials Oppose Increasing Taxes on High-Tech Workers Amid Budget Pressures
Israeli Finance Ministry officials oppose raising taxes on high-tech workers' stock options despite proposals from the Tax Authority head. The ministry plans to balance potential…
High Earners Also Cancel Home Purchases Amid Developer Financing Deals in Israel
A Ministry of Finance study shows that both low and high-income Israelis cancel home purchases, with high earners affected by developer financing schemes allowing low upfront paym…
Israeli Expert Urges Doubling Public Funding for Culture to Boost Economy and Exports
Israel Faces Childcare Crisis Impacting Women's Rights and Workforce Participation
Israel faces a critical shortage of early childhood caregivers, causing daycare closures and forcing many women to leave the workforce. This childcare crisis undermines women's ec…
Israel Launches Innovative Housing Plan to Boost Population in Northern Border Towns
Israel has launched a subsidized housing project to attract new families to 19 northern border towns near Lebanon, building or renovating 307 units with a unique temporary housing…
Ben Gurion Airport Faces Ongoing Disruptions Amid Threat of New Summer Strike
Ben Gurion Airport is grappling with major disruptions after a sudden strike, causing flight delays, cancellations, and long baggage waits. Airlines El Al and Arkia are offering v…
Israeli Economy Defies War Impact with Strong Growth in High-Tech and Exports
Israel's economy continues to grow strongly despite three years of war, driven by booming high-tech exports, rising tax revenues, and low unemployment. High-tech capital raising s…
Shaul Amsterdamski Faces Criticism for Crypto Influencer in Money-Saving Show
Shaul Amsterdamski’s new documentary series on saving money faces criticism for featuring crypto influencer Naor Baruch, whose flashy persona clashes with the show’s educational g…
Strike at Ben Gurion Airport Causes Estimated 30 Million Shekel Loss Amid Infrastructure Challenges
A sudden strike by Israel Airports Authority workers at Ben Gurion Airport on August 20, 2026, caused major disruptions and an estimated economic loss of 25-30 million shekels. Th…
IDF Strike at Ben Gurion Airport Causes Estimated 25-30 Million Shekel Economic Loss
A strike at Ben Gurion Airport caused an estimated 25-30 million shekel loss to Israel's economy, revealing critical infrastructure weaknesses. The airport operates at full capaci…
Budget Freeze Threatens Closure of Holy Sites Amid High Pilgrim Influx, Officials Warn
A Supreme Court injunction halting budget transfers has put the operation of major Israeli holy sites at risk, prompting warnings of potential disasters during the High Holidays…
Israeli Security Officials See Reduced Risk of Military Conflict with Iran Following US Sanctions
Israeli defense officials believe the chance of a military escalation with Iran has lessened after the US imposed new sanctions. However, Israel is boosting its military readiness…
Israeli Attorney General Demands Increased Enforcement Against Draft Dodgers Amid Police Reluctance
Nvidia's Mellanox Drives Israel's Economic Growth Despite Overseas Production
Nvidia's acquisition of Mellanox has made the Israeli tech division a major driver of Israel's economic growth, despite chip manufacturing occurring abroad. Mellanox's soaring rev…
Israel Moves to Establish Smart Bomb Production Lines Amid Budget Dispute
Israel's Defense Ministry is launching production lines for smart bombs to boost military independence amid Iran tensions, but budget disputes with the Finance Ministry threaten d…
Israel Plans Tens of Billions Shekels Increase to 2026 Defense Budget Amid Treasury Dispute
Israel will increase its 2026 defense budget by tens of billions of shekels after disputes between the Finance and Defense Ministries. This will require reopening the 2026 budget…
Israeli Treasury Data Reveals Huge Subsidy Gaps Favoring Ultra-Orthodox Communities
Israeli Treasury data reveals ultra-Orthodox Jewish households receive far greater state subsidies than non-Haredi Jews, prompting recommendations to cut after-school program subs…
Electra Wins 2 Billion Shekel Contract for Major Highway 5 Fast Lane Project
Electra Ltd. won a 2 billion shekel contract to build a 25-kilometer two-way fast lane on Highway 5, including a large parking and transportation complex at Kesem Interchange. The…
Israir Reports $32 Million Loss in H1 2026, Receives $4-8 Million Treasury Compensation
Israir reported a $32 million loss in the first half of 2026 due to multiple economic and geopolitical challenges. The airline will receive $4-8 million in government compensation…
Shekel Strengthens 3% Against Dollar Amid Israel's Economic Dynamics
The Israeli shekel has strengthened 3% against the US dollar since early June, driven by Israel's export-led economy and capital flows rather than dollar weakness. Economic growth…
Israeli Attorney General Calls for Expanded Enforcement Against Draft-Dodging Ultra-Orthodox
Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara demands expanded enforcement against ultra-Orthodox men avoiding military service, despite rising enlistment. She calls for increased…
Israel Plans Major Overhaul of Disabled Parking Permit System Starting 2027
Israel is reforming its disabled parking permit system after criminal exploitation caused a 550% increase in permits. Starting in 2027, eligibility will be based mainly on Nationa…
Israeli Supreme Court Orders Separation of Coalition Funds Amid Election Budget Dispute
The Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the Finance Ministry must separate urgent coalition funds from other budget transfers totaling 462 million shekels, rejecting Finance Minister…
Israeli Teachers Protest New 'Talent' Program Offering Higher Pay to External Hires
Israel's new 'Talent Program' offers higher salaries to external hires in education, causing veteran teachers to protest over pay disparities and fears of a two-tier workforce. Th…
Mizrahi Tefahot Reports Profit Decline Amid Mortgage Market Risks in Israel
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank reported a slight profit decline in Q2 2026, driven by lower mortgage interest income amid falling inflation and interest rates. The bank’s large mortgage por…
Over 90% of Israeli Production Abroad Linked to One Company, Impacting Economic Growth Figures
More than 90% of Israeli production abroad is linked to Nvidia, significantly affecting Israel's economic growth data. Excluding foreign production reveals a low 1% growth rate, h…
Northern Israel Schools Set to Open Without Security Upgrades Despite Promises
Northern Israel is set to open 250 schools and kindergartens without promised security fortifications due to delayed funding and bureaucratic delays, drawing sharp criticism from…
Israel Lowers Debt-to-GDP Ratio Following Strong Economic Growth Data
Israel's Ministry of Finance plans to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio to 67.9% following stronger-than-expected economic growth data. The IMF and Bank of Israel emphasize the need to…
Nati Amsterdam Takes Helm at Microsoft Israel to Restore Government Cloud Relations
Nati Amsterdam, formerly a key figure in distributing Nvidia AI chips in Israel, has become CEO of Microsoft Israel. He faces the task of restoring Microsoft's strained relations…
Israel’s Big Five Banks Post 8.5 Billion Shekel Profit Despite Rate Cuts and Special Tax
Israel’s five largest banks reported a combined net profit of 8.5 billion shekels in Q2 2024, a 2% increase despite lower interest income and a special tax. Credit growth and fee…
Israeli Economy Surges Post-War but Relies Heavily on One Company
Israel's economy rebounded sharply in Q2 2026 with 15.4% GDP growth, driven largely by Nvidia's foreign production, but half-year growth is modest at 3.2%. Excluding Nvidia's impa…
Finance Minister Smotrich Faces Criticism Over Limited Reserve Duty and Education Reform Plans
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has proposed limited education reforms and a return to pre-October 7 reserve duty levels, aiming to boost his party's election prospects. Critics…
Homebuyers Face High Cancellation Fees Amid Rising Real Estate Deal Cancellations in Israel
Israel has seen a 41% rise in real estate deal cancellations in 2024, mainly due to buyers' financial difficulties. Many buyers pay little or no money before canceling, but cancel…
Ultra-Orthodox Education Network Agrees to Participate in National and International Assessments
Agudat Yisrael’s Independent Education Network has agreed to participate in national and international assessments after three years of negotiations, following government pressure…
Israel Deploys AI-Powered Smart Traffic Lights Saving Drivers Two Work Weeks Annually
Israel has deployed around 170 AI-driven adaptive traffic lights on intercity roads, cutting average wait times by 10 minutes per trip and saving drivers up to two work weeks annu…
Tel Aviv Leads Israel in New Apartment Sales Amid Rising Inventory Backlog
In Q2 2026, Israel sold about 22,640 apartments with new apartment sales rising sharply, led by Tel Aviv, despite a large backlog of unsold units totaling over 84,000 nationwide…
Israel Excludes Brake and Tire Pollution from New Vehicle Tax Formula Due to Lack of Data
Israel's new vehicle tax credit formula excludes brake and tire pollution due to a lack of emission data, raising taxes on some hybrid models. The Tax Authority cited the absence…
Israel's Consumer Price Index to Rise Slightly Tomorrow Before Sharp Inflation Surge Expected
Israel's Consumer Price Index is expected to rise slightly tomorrow, temporarily lowering annual inflation, but a sharp increase is forecast for August due to fuel and rent hikes…
Yaron Zelekha Promises Major Cost-of-Living Cuts, Claims Netanyahu Fears Appointing Him Finance Minister
Yaron Zelekha, leader of Israel's Economic Party, pledges to cut the country's high cost of living by breaking monopolies and reforming economic policies. He revealed that Prime M…
Israel Launches International Tender for New 600-Bed Medical Center in Beersheba
Israel's Health and Finance Ministries have launched an international tender to design the new Peres Medical Center in Beersheba, featuring 600 hospital beds and integrating menta…
Israeli Mortgage Volume Surges in July Amid Warnings of Illusory Housing Market Recovery
Mortgage volumes in Israel surged to 11.563 billion shekels in July, driven mainly by deferred payments from past apartment purchases, not new demand. Experts warn this creates a…
Israel Faces 16% Direct Tax Increase by 2065 Without Higher Haredi Workforce Participation
Avigdor Lieberman claimed Israel must raise income tax by 16% if universal conscription and extended IDF service are not enacted. This figure is based on a Ministry of Finance leg…
Israeli Banks Show Billions in Quarterly Profits Amid State Levy on Excess Earnings
Israeli banks reported strong second-quarter profits with Bank Leumi earning 2.83 billion shekels and Bank Hapoalim 583 million shekels. A government levy on excess profits reduce…
Israeli Environment Ministry Conceals 4 Billion Shekel Deficit in Cleanliness Fund Amid Budget Crisis
Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry is concealing a 4 billion shekel deficit in its Cleanliness Fund, which finances waste treatment projects. The fund’s commitments exceed…