Ministry of Finance — Israel news coverage in English

Israel to Raise Water Prices by 2.3% Amid Severe Shortage

Water prices in Israel will rise by 2.3% on January 1, despite a severe water shortage. The decision by the Water Authority Council was made against the wishes of the Finance and…

Culture2h ago

Munich Jewish Culture Days Mark 40 Years of Heritage and Dialogue

Munich celebrated the 40th Jewish Culture Days with an opening event at the Cuvilliés Theatre, featuring Cantor Chaim Stern and the Munich Radio Orchestra. The festival, themed "T…

Politics2h ago·1 outlets

Bennett Bids Farewell to MK Beliak, Praising His Dedication

Former Knesset Member Vladimir Beliak has left the Knesset after six years, with party leader Naftali Bennett praising his diligent work, particularly in the Finance Committee. Be…

Economy2h ago·3 outlets

Israel Water Prices to Rise 2.3% in 2027

Israel's Water Authority Council has decided to raise water prices by approximately 2.3% in 2027, adding about 3.5 shekels monthly to the average family's bill. The decision, appr…

Security2h ago·2 outlets

Mediterranean Alliance Strengthens, Sends Message to Turkey on Maritime Rights

Israel, Greece, and Cyprus held a trilateral defense meeting in Athens to strengthen security cooperation and sent a message to Turkey regarding maritime rights. The nations discu…

Economy5h ago

Foreign Investors Buy Israeli Stocks Amid Local Caution

Foreign investors purchased 894 million shekels in Israeli stocks post-election, focusing on financial sectors, while local institutional investors sold finance stocks and bought…

Politics5h ago·3 outlets

Israel to Limit 'Small Series' Vehicle Imports Starting 2027

Israel's Ministry of Transport will restrict the "small series" vehicle import scheme to light commercial vehicles starting in 2027, ending its use for passenger cars. This change…

Politics6h ago

Armenian Critics Accuse US-Backed Transport Project of Serving Israeli Interests

Pro-Russian Armenian critics are promoting conspiracy theories, labeling the US-backed TRIPP transport corridor as a "Jewish project" serving Israeli interests. These claims have…

Security6h ago

Israel to Raise Water Prices by 2.3% in January Amid Shortage

Israel's Water Authority Council approved a 2.3% increase in water tariffs set to take effect in January, despite professional recommendations for a larger hike to fund infrastruc…

Politics6h ago

Israel Eases Rules for EV Charging Stations and Auto Imports

Israel is reforming building codes to allow gas stations to expand commercial space for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and simplifying permit processes. Additionally, th…

Economy6h ago

Wall Street Plunge Triggers Sharp Declines on Tel Aviv Stock Exchange

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange saw sharp declines on Tuesday, with major indices falling between 3.4% and 7%, mirroring a significant drop on Wall Street. Market analysts attributed…

Security6h ago

Four Palestinians, Including Child and Woman, Killed by IDF Fire in Gaza

Four Palestinians, including a child and a woman, were killed and several others injured by Israeli military actions in central and southern Gaza on Thursday. Fatalities were repo…

Politics7h ago

Eisenkot Aims to Form Knesset Inquiry Committee Without Government

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar! party, plans to establish a Knesset committee to investigate the October 7 massacre without government approval. The anti-Netanyahu bloc aim…

Health8h ago

Health Ministry Data Reveals Longest Wait Times for Therapy in Maccabi and Meuhedet

New Ministry of Health data shows Leumit HMO has the shortest wait times for child development therapies, averaging 2.4 months for speech therapy, while Clalit's average is 8.30 m…

Economy9h ago·2 outlets

Israel Tightens Car Import Rules, Ending Simplified Scheme for Passenger Vehicles

Israel's Ministry of Transport will end the "small series" import scheme for passenger cars in 2027, impacting independent importers and potentially reducing vehicle variety and p…

Economy9h ago

Tax Authority Chief Warns of NIS 40 Billion Budget Deficit Amid Political Instability

Shi Ahronovitch, Director of the Tax Authority, warned of a NIS 30-40 billion budget deficit due to political instability and the lack of a state budget. He presented plans to inc…

Security9h ago

Elderly Passengers Endangered by Bus Ticketing Requirement

Elderly Israelis are at risk of injury from falls on buses due to mandatory ticket validation, prompting Tel Aviv Deputy Mayor Meital Lehavi to urge the Transportation Minister to…

Politics9h ago

Analyst Suggests Smotrich Can Forge Unity Government

Moti Shklar, a researcher, proposed that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich could be instrumental in forming a unity government in Israel. Shklar warned that a narrow government or…

Health9h ago·2 outlets

Health Ministry Orders Water Boiling in Kfar Chabad After Contamination Scare

The Health Ministry has mandated that residents of Kfar Chabad boil water before use due to abnormal sampling results. The directive covers drinking, cooking, and medication prepa…

Health9h ago

Healthy 47-Year-Old Man Hospitalized in Critical Condition After Flu Complications

A 47-year-old unvaccinated man is in critical condition at Soroka University Medical Center, connected to an ECMO machine due to severe flu complications. This case highlights the…

Politics9h ago

Defense Ministry Director General Files Rare Complaint Against Employees' Committee Chairman

Ministry of Defense Director General Amir Baram filed a rare complaint against Employees' Committee Chairman Sasson Peretz for alleged improper and threatening behavior towards st…

Security10h ago

Israel Condemns Russian Strike on Ukrainian Town, Offers Condolences

Israel has condemned a Russian airstrike on Kamyshevakha, Ukraine, that killed at least 43 civilians, including rescuers and police officers. The attack on November 2 targeted a s…

Politics10h ago

Minister Kisch Leaves Israeli Education System in Ruins

Former Israeli Minister of Education Yoav Kisch is criticized for allegedly dismantling professional bodies and undermining the education system with populist and religiously moti…

Economy10h ago

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Agent Before Signing a Policy

Consumers should question insurance agents about potential conflicts of interest stemming from commissions and agency ownership, as these can influence recommendations. In 2025, c…

Economy10h ago

New Elections Will Extend High Property Tax on Investors, Tax Authority Warns

Israel's Tax Authority Director Shai Aharonovich warned that additional elections will extend the high 8% property purchase tax on investors for at least three to four months. He…

World10h ago

Israel Launches New Tourism Campaign to Attract British Visitors

Israel's Ministry of Tourism is launching a "I AM ISRAEL" campaign in the UK to boost tourism following the October 7th attacks and recent diplomatic tensions. The campaign aims t…

Security11h ago·3 outlets

Popular Hair Styler Recalled in Israel Over Shock Hazard

The Dreame AIR STYLE 5 in 1 hair styler is being recalled in Israel by importer Cristalino because its plug does not meet Israeli standards and could cause electric shock or damag…

Security11h ago·2 outlets

Israel Police Conclude Probe into Ariel Daycare Abuse, Indictments Imminent

Israeli police have completed an investigation into suspected severe abuse of infants at an Ariel daycare, reviewing over 2,400 hours of footage. The director and two caregivers f…

Politics11h ago

New Daycare Facilities Approved for Resettled Samaria Communities

The Shomron Regional Council secured government funding for new mobile daycare facilities in the resettled communities of Ganim and Kadim. This initiative supports the return to n…

Security11h ago·2 outlets

Ariel Authorities Address Childcare Crisis After Abuse Allegations

Ariel authorities are implementing an unusual childcare solution for toddlers affected by abuse allegations at the "Luchik" daycare. This includes admitting younger children to ki…

Health11h ago

Flu Vaccine: Expert Explains Why Healthy Children Need Protection

Professor Michal Stein of Sheba Medical Center explains that influenza can cause severe illness and complications even in healthy children, necessitating annual vaccination. The f…

Security11h ago

Brothers Zano Fish Recalls Atlantic Salmon Fillet Due to Contamination Risk

Brothers Zano Fish is recalling its fresh Atlantic Salmon Fillet, sold in 1.5 kg packages, due to contamination concerns. The product, manufactured in the Netherlands and distribu…

Security11h ago

Sculpture Garden of Artist Yigal Tumarkin Vandalized; Son Blames Soccer Fans

Yoon Tumarkin discovered vandalism at his father Yigal Tumarkin's sculpture garden in Tel Aviv, finding graffiti and stickers on artworks and signage. He suspects Maccabi Tel Aviv…

Health11h ago·4 outlets

Salmon Fillets Recalled in Israel Due to Decade-Long Expiration Date Error

Israeli distributor Acharon Zano Dagim is recalling fresh Atlantic salmon fillets due to a labeling error that listed the expiration date as October 31, 2027, a year beyond the ac…

Economy11h ago

Israel Risks Facing 2027 Without Approved State Budget

Israel faces the possibility of operating without an approved state budget for 2027, as the Finance Ministry has not begun preparations and the submission deadline has passed. If…

General12h ago

Israel's Infrastructure Projects Face Delays Amid Planning, Regulatory Hurdles

Israeli infrastructure projects are facing significant delays due to planning issues, regulatory hurdles, and political interference, according to a panel of experts. Key challeng…

Economy12h ago

Israel Explores Geothermal Energy Beyond Solar and Wind

Israel's Energy Ministry is launching a pilot project in the Golan Heights to generate electricity from geothermal heat, diversifying its renewable energy sources beyond solar and…

Security13h ago

Dozens of Sheep and Cattle Carcasses Seized at Northern Israel Farm

Israeli authorities seized 39 carcasses of sheep and cattle from a farm in northern Israel that were illegally slaughtered without veterinary supervision. The meat, deemed a publi…

Politics14h ago

Contractors Appeal to Supreme Court Over Millions in Municipal Fees

The Contractors Association and Ofeq Sheli company are appealing to Israel's Supreme Court for a rehearing on building fee refunds for subsidized housing projects. A previous Supr…

Security14h ago

Hadera Residents Urged to Close Windows Amid Heavy Smoke

Residents of Hadera and the Emek Hefer region were advised on November 5th to close windows due to heavy smoke from overnight fires. Emergency services extinguished the fires, but…

Security14h ago

Antisemitic Attacks Turn Deadly as Physical Threats Escalate Globally

A new report from Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs indicates a sharp rise in deadly antisemitic attacks globally, despite a decrease in hoax threats. In 2025 alone, 20 people…

Economy14h ago

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Opens Lower Amid Broad Declines

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange began its trading day with significant declines in its main indices, including the TA-35, TA-90, and TA-125. Several sector-specific indices, such as d…

Economy14h ago

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Opens With Broad Declines

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange began its trading day with notable declines in its leading indices. The TA-35 index dropped 1.3%, the TA-90 by 0.9%, and the TA-125 by 1.2%. Several se…

Security15h ago

Global Synagogues Face Unprecedented Physical Threats, Report Reveals

A report by the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism reveals a significant rise in physical threats against Jewish communities globally, with an increase in dea…

Security15h ago

Fire at Waste Site Causes Strong Odor in Beit Shemesh

A fire at a waste disposal site in "Shayaret Yehuda" caused a strong odor in Beit Shemesh on Thursday. Firefighters are working to extinguish the blaze, which originated from inte…

Health15h ago

Jerusalem Child Hospitalized in ICU Due to Severe Flu Complications

An eight-year-old girl in Jerusalem was admitted to the intensive care unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in critical condition due to severe flu complications, including respira…

Economy15h ago

Israel's Defense Budget Out of Control, Tax Cuts Unrealistic, Expert Warns

Professor Udi Nisan warns Israel's defense budget has ballooned to NIS 160 billion, calling it unsustainable and detrimental to public services. He criticizes the declining educat…

Security15h ago·4 outlets

Residents Told to Close Windows Amid Intense Fire Odor in Hadera and Emek Hefer

A strong fire odor spread through Hadera and Emek Hefer overnight, causing residents to complain and be advised to close windows. Authorities traced the smell to fires in the West…