Ministry of Finance
Israeli-media coverage mentioning Ministry of Finance, translated into English and compared across sources. 48 recent stories.
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…
Israeli Parliament Extends Secrecy Order on Government Energy Company QITAF Amid Privatization Plans
The Israeli parliament has extended a secrecy order on the state energy company QITAF until the end of 2024, despite plans to privatize it. The decision was made in closed session…
Israel's Budget Deficit Holds at 3.3% Amid Rising Government Spending
Israel's Ministry of Finance reports a stable budget deficit at 3.3% of GDP, supported by a significant rise in revenues and moderate spending increases, signaling economic resili…
Israeli Startup Decart in Advanced Talks to Sell to Elon Musk's SpaceX for Over $6 Billion
Israeli startup Decart is in advanced talks to sell to Elon Musk's SpaceX for over $6 billion, while Israel's finance ministry reports heavy investor activity in the housing marke…
Israel Updates Green Tax Formula for 2027 Without Expected Car Price Hikes
Israel's Ministry of Finance updated the green tax formula for cars sold in 2027, reducing tax credits based on emissions. Despite initial predictions of price hikes, large import…
US Army Conducts Special Training Featuring CH-53K Helicopter Rescuing F-15 After Iran Crash
The US Army recently showcased the CH-53K helicopter's ability to rescue an F-15 in a special training exercise following a crash in Iran. Israel plans to replace its Yas'ur helic…
Heavy Real Estate Investors Retreat from Tel Aviv Amid Rising Housing Inventory
Heavy real estate investors owning three or more properties are reducing their activity in Tel Aviv and Haifa amid a large supply of unsold new apartments. While the number of own…
Removing Tuna Can Tariffs Cuts Consumer Prices by Only 1.1% in Israel
Israel's removal of import tariffs on tuna cans has led to only a slight 1.1% decrease in consumer prices, with market concentration remaining high and local production declining…
Israel Plans Real-Time Online VAT Payments to Combat Fake Invoices and Tax Losses
Israel's Tax Authority plans to implement a real-time online VAT payment system by 2027 to combat widespread fake invoice fraud causing annual losses of 15 billion shekels. The re…
Israel Redirects Nearly $1 Billion from Intel Grant to Urgent Defense Budget Needs
Israel redirected nearly 1 billion shekels from an unused Intel grant to urgent defense budget needs after Intel froze its Kiryat Gat factory expansion amid a global financial cri…
Over 20,000 Toddlers Face Lack of Supervised Daycare as Caregiver Shortage Worsens
Over 20,000 toddlers in Israel will begin the school year without supervised daycare due to a caregiver shortage, causing a social and economic crisis. Organizations urge the gove…
Shani Mendel Laufer Leaves Promising Treasury Career to Lead AI Firm LTX in Jerusalem
Shani Mendel Laufer left a promising career in Israel's Ministry of Finance to join Lightricks in 2022, quickly rising to lead business strategy at LTX, a new AI-focused spin-off…
Finance Minister Blocks Light Rail Funding in Negev Despite PM Netanyahu’s Approval
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is blocking funding for a government-approved light rail project connecting Beersheba to a new military base in the Negev, despite Prime Minister…
26-Year-Old Financial Planner Advocates Holistic Investment Strategies and Education Reform
Noam Ashed, a 26-year-old financial planner from Haifa, built her career on addressing financial literacy gaps she experienced as a youth. She holds advanced degrees and licenses…
Israeli Tax Authority Plans Higher Tax on Tech Stock Options, Lower Income Tax
Israel's Finance Ministry and Tax Authority are considering raising taxes on high-tech employee stock options while lowering income tax on salaries to boost state revenues amid ri…
Israeli Supreme Court Halts Budget Transfers to Ultra-Orthodox Groups Over Procedural Flaws
The Israeli Supreme Court has temporarily blocked budget transfers to ultra-Orthodox groups due to procedural concerns, with a full hearing scheduled soon. The Finance Committee a…
Israel Faces Waste Crisis Amidst Government Disputes Over New National Waste Authority
Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Finance are locked in disputes over establishing a national waste authority, delaying critical waste treatment projec…
Government Report Proposes Social Services Operator Team to Streamline Procurement Processes
A government report recommends forming a specialized team and a support unit to improve social service procurement, addressing bureaucratic inefficiencies and coordination failure…
Israeli Finance Committee Approves Hundreds of Millions for Haredi Sector and Settlements Amid Election Recess
During the election recess, Israel's Finance Committee is approving hundreds of millions of shekels in budget transfers to the Haredi sector and settlements, including urgent fund…
Israel's National AI Headquarters Launches Initial Steps in National AI Program
Israel's National AI Headquarters and the Ministry of Finance launched three initial initiatives to build national infrastructures in quantum computing, Physical AI, and foundatio…
Israel Opens New Justice Ministry Building with Public Square for Protests in Jerusalem
Israel opened a new Justice Ministry building in Jerusalem's National Quarter, featuring a public plaza designed for protests and community use. The 65,000-square-meter complex co…
Experts Warn of Looming Crisis in Israel’s Long-Term Care Insurance Market
Israel’s long-term care insurance market faces a crisis as only one insurer bids in the latest government tender, raising concerns over future coverage stability. Experts warn tha…
Israeli Education Ministry Issues License Revocation Warnings to 31 Haredi Schools Over Core Curriculum Deficiencies
The Israeli Ministry of Education warned 31 Haredi schools of license revocation for not teaching core subjects, amid a dispute with the Finance Ministry over funding legality for…
Israeli Education Ministry Issues License Revocation Warnings to 31 Ultra-Orthodox Schools for Not Teaching Core Subjects
The Israeli Ministry of Education has warned 31 ultra-Orthodox schools that they risk losing their licenses for not teaching core subjects, following a petition challenging illega…
Japanese Yen Strengthens After Coordinated Intervention; Israeli Shekel Stable Against Dollar
Japan and the U.S. jointly intervened in currency markets to strengthen the yen, which rose sharply against the dollar. Meanwhile, Israel's shekel remained stable with slight fluc…
Israel Ranks Second Highest Globally in Big Mac Price Amid Cost of Living Debate
The Economist’s Big Mac Index ranks Israel as the second most expensive country globally for a Big Mac, driven by local price hikes and a strong shekel. This index, used by politi…
Netanyahu’s Economic Promises Fall Short Amid Rising Costs and Unfulfilled Reforms
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s economic promises over the past four years, including fighting the high cost of living, tax cuts, and housing initiatives, have largely gone un…
Netherlands Enacts Strict Ban on Trade with Israeli Settlements, Excludes Booking.com
The Netherlands has passed a strict law banning trade with Israeli settlements, including the Golan Heights, effective September 22. The law prohibits buying or selling goods from…
Partner Group to Provide Communications for Tel Aviv Congestion Charge Launching in 2028
Partner Group will provide the communication infrastructure for Tel Aviv's congestion charge system, now set to launch in 2028. The project, led by Electra Group, aims to reduce t…
Israeli Government Veterinarians Secure New Pay and Work Conditions Agreement
Israeli government veterinarians have reached a new collective agreement granting salary increases up to 6%, monthly bonuses, reduced workweek, and expanded benefits including mor…
High Mortgage Volume in June Reflects Past Deals, Not Housing Market Revival
Israel's June mortgage surge to 11 billion shekels mainly reflects fulfillment of older contracts, not new housing demand, according to the Finance Ministry. Market experts expect…
Israeli Education Minister Alleges Teachers' Union Fraudulently Received Millions for Non-Members
Israeli Education Minister Yoav Kisch accused the Teachers' Union of fraudulently receiving millions for non-members, prompting an investigation and plans to reform funding transf…
Electra, Menarv, and Alstom Secure $9.6 Billion Funding for Haifa-Nazareth Light Rail Project
Electra, Menarv, and Alstom have finalized a 9.6 billion shekel financing deal for the Haifa-Nazareth light rail project, enabling full construction to begin. The 41-kilometer lin…
Religious Zionist Leadership Drives Major Development and Security Gains in Beersheba and Beyond
A Beersheba city council member highlights the Religious Zionist party's leadership in securing a 1.2 billion shekel development plan for Beersheba, strengthening national securit…
Palestinian Currency Governor Warns of Imminent Economic Collapse Amid Israeli Banking Disconnect
The Palestinian Monetary Authority governor warned that Israeli banks plan to cut financial ties with Palestinian banks by October 1, risking a total economic collapse. This disco…
Palestinian Currency Governor Warns of Imminent Economic Collapse Amid Israeli Banking Cutoff Threats
The Palestinian Monetary Authority governor warned that Israeli banks plan to cut financial ties by October, risking a total economic collapse in Palestinian territories. This wou…
Israel Cancels $425 Million Intel Grant Amid Uncertainty Over Expansion Plans
Israel canceled a $425 million grant to Intel for 2025 after the company froze its Kiryat Gat expansion plans, creating uncertainty about the plant's future. The government mainta…
Israel Plans Stricter Tax Invoice Controls Requiring Allocation Number for Every Transaction
Israel's Finance Ministry plans to tighten tax invoice regulations by requiring an allocation number for every transaction, aiming to curb tax fraud and increase revenue. The refo…
US Pressures Israel to Block Chinese Firms from Metro Project Amid Treasury Resistance
The US is pressuring Israel to exclude Chinese companies from its $170 billion metro project, but Israel's Treasury resists, promoting American bidders instead. This dispute follo…