The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange fell today, with technology stocks prominent in both directions. Bank Leumi led trading and Tower Semiconductor, Maytronics, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange itself, and El Al were notable advancers.

The shekel weakens against the US dollar and euro due to events such as a shooting attack and the decline in the US stock markets, particularly the Nasdaq index.

Tel Aviv residential building plans are in disarray as the TAMA 38 project, which strengthens and enlarges existing buildings to protect against earthquakes, is set to expire next month.

A penthouse in the Tel Aviv Port TLV Residence project has been sold for NIS 36 million, reflecting the high prices in the sought-after location.

The Philippine army has completed its first test-fire training using the Sabrah light tank made by Elbit Systems. The tank is part of the country's defense procurement efforts amid concerns about China. The army has also acquired the Spider air defense system made by Rafael.

The development of land in Jerusalem owned by the Greek patriarchate has been delayed due to indecisiveness from the Jewish National Fund (JNF). American businessman Gary Barnett purchased the land in 2023 with the aim of ending the stalemate and developing the area, but there has been no progress in 18 months.

Nadav Zafrir, co-founder of Team8, has been appointed CEO of Check Point, replacing co-founder Gil Shwed.

Israel's traffic congestion adds 6% to the cost of living, according to a study by the Aharon Institute for Economic Policy. Researchers recommend integrated housing and transport planning to address the issue.

Applied Systems is acquiring Israeli AI Insurtech company Planck to further develop AI products for cloud-based insurance software.

Ryanair will expand its routes in Israel, offering flights to 16 more destinations in October, making it the foreign airline with the most routes in the country.

Fourteen Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, have agreed on reconciliation and strengthening 'Palestinian unity' at a conference in China.

Israeli cloud security company Wiz rejects Google's $23 billion acquisition offer and plans to pursue an IPO instead.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange saw gains today, with turnover in equities and bonds. The Bank of Israel set lower representative shekel rates.

Family office Ariel El is buying a 59% stake in Discount Investment's technology arm for $53.2 million.

Israeli hospitality company Selina is facing financial difficulties and is likely to be delisted from Nasdaq. The company's share price has fallen significantly, and it may enter insolvency.

US President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race has raised questions about the market's response. Analysts suggest that the immediate reaction could be a sharp fall in stock prices as investors try to hedge against risk.

SentinelOne's share price rises as CrowdStrike faces glitches, potentially damaging credibility and benefiting competitors.

A Templar house in Jerusalem's German Colony has been sold for NIS 32 million. The luxury market in the city is vibrant with increasing prices and construction delays.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange fell today, with chip stocks dragging down the market. The All Bond corporate bond index, however, rose 0.11%.

Cellebrite assists FBI in accessing data from phone of Trump shooter

Innovalve Bio Medical has been acquired by Edwards Lifesciences for an estimated $300 million, making it the fourth healthcare exit in Israel since the start of the war.

Israel and India have strengthened their relationship, with collaboration in defense industry and potential for trade. India is now one of the leading importers of weapons from Israel. The Indian economy is growing rapidly, presenting opportunities for Israeli companies in sectors such as agriculture, telecom, and retail.

Israel's largest insurance and finance company, The Phoenix Holdings, is selling a majority of its stake to other investors, including Affinity Partners and Yitzhak Tshuva. The sale will leave Centerbridge Partners and Gallatin Point with a 10% stake in Phoenix.

Edwards Lifesciences is acquiring Israeli company Innovalve Bio Medical to enhance its trans-catheter mitral valve replacement technologies and support long-term growth.

Intel has hired Buildots to improve construction pace and warn about delays. Buildots' software helps manage construction and monitor progress. The deal is estimated to be worth several million dollars.

Google is in talks to acquire Israeli cloud security company Wiz for $23 billion, which would be its largest acquisition ever and the highest amount ever paid for an Israeli company.

Recent real estate deals in Israel include the sale of apartments in different cities for various prices.

Israel has inflicted a severe blow on Hamas with a strike that killed a top Hamas commander and another senior official in the Gaza Strip.

Reports of a potential Gaza ceasefire agreement and Hamas relinquishing authority have boosted the shekel and pushed the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange to near record levels.

Israeli businessman Yuval Soiref is teaming up with Mike Tyson to market Tyson 2.0 medical cannabis in Germany and the UK. Soiref's company, Phcann, specializes in marketing medical cannabis brands of sports stars. Tyson 2.0 products are already available in Germany, coinciding with the Euro 2024 tournament.

Israel's average wealth per adult rose to $260,000 in 2023, ranking 18th globally. Wealth inequality has narrowed over the long term, but growth is slower in lower socioeconomic clusters.

Israel's economic standing and technology sector are at risk, warns Shlomo Dovrat, founder of Viola Group investment firm. He highlights declining global standing in technology, lack of diversification, dependence on international markets, and inadequate scientific infrastructure.

Investment giant BlackRock's stake in Nice falls below 5% as it sells shares in the company.

Data tech company Volumez has expanded its Series A funding round to $40 million, with new investors including Samsung Venture Investment Corporation and J-Ventures.

Eyal Waldman buys multiple apartments in Tel Aviv's Rainbow project for NIS 50m and plans to merge them into one large apartment.

Air Haifa will receive its first aircraft this month and plans to begin scheduled flights between Haifa and Eilat in September. The airline is also expected to operate routes to Cyprus and Greece.

Tesla has reduced prices on its popular models in Israel, with the basic Model 3 now available for less than NIS 200,000.

Israel's fiscal deficit has reached 7.6% of GDP, surpassing the government's target, as government spending increases due to war-related expenses.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange saw a significant increase today due to optimism surrounding a hostage deal.

Recent real estate deals in various cities across Israel, including apartments sold in Beit Shemesh, Bnai Brak, Givat Shmuel, Netanya, Rekhasim, and Beersheva.

Daniel Loeb, founder of Third Point, has invested in Israeli companies, increased his holdings in AI stocks, and sued Intel while avoiding Nvidia. He has faced criticism for his investment strategy but has seen positive returns recently. Loeb is also known for his pro-Israel activism and support for Jewish and Black communities in the US.

Anti-government protesters in Israel are blocking roads and organizing marches to demand the release of hostages and early elections.

Shikun & Binui has appointed Amit Birman as acting CEO after Tamir Cohen resigned amid a power struggle with controlling shareholder Naty Saidoff. The company's share price has fallen 65% and Saidoff's stake has shrunk to just NIS 300 million.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange had a positive week with banks leading the way.

Tech deals revive Tel Aviv's real estate office market while surrounding cities face weaker demand.

The average wage in Israel rose by 7.8% in May 2024 compared with May 2023, reaching NIS 12,891. The tech sector continues to have the highest wages.

The Bank of Israel is unlikely to cut interest rates due to the weak shekel and deteriorating economic data. Stability of the financial markets and the weakening shekel are the main factors influencing the interest rate policy. Changes are expected in the economic forecast, including the interest rate forecast, growth forecast, and inflation rate forecast.

Dan Senor discusses the rise of antisemitism in the US, the strength of Israeli tech, and the resilience of Israeli society amidst political disagreements.

The Ministry of Finance and the Israel Tax Authority are preparing to publish a tender for operating the congestion charge in Tel Aviv by the end of this year. The Congestion Charge Law, which is due to come into force in 2025, will require drivers to pay to enter the Tel Aviv area.

AI health start-up K Health has raised $50m at a $900m valuation to offer personalised primary care using AI technology.

Yields on Israel government shekel bonds have reached a 13-year high due to growing fears of escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Sompo has teamed up with Momentick to cut greenhouse gas emissions from Japanese energy production sources, rigs, and gas pipelines. Momentick's technology uses satellite images to identify and measure emissions, and Sompo plans to integrate it into its risk management services.

The US Federal Trade Commission is investigating Teva and other companies for potentially extending patents through slight product changes.

Former Microsoft Israel head Shelly Landsmann is partnering with the Levinstein Group and Goldacre to build a server farm in Netanya, Israel, at an investment of NIS 1.1 billion. The farm will connect to undersea cables and is expected to serve global cloud computing companies. Construction is set to be completed by summer 2026.

The Slice pensions affair in Israel has left 105,000 savers unable to access their NIS 4.3 billion ($1.3 billion) in pensions and savings. The company is under investigation for allegedly selling loans in return for transferring money to its management company.

Verily Life Sciences is closing its Israel operations, which focused on computing for imaging and surgeries. The closure is unrelated to the war in Gaza or the economic situation in Israel. Verily aims to become an independent company, potentially through an IPO.

Israel Police is using Chinese-made cameras from Dahua and Hikvision for its 'Hawk-Eye' traffic enforcement project, despite concerns about national security and human rights violations. The cameras do not comply with Western standards and have been blacklisted in several countries.

Israel Railways' electrification project faces further delays and increased costs due to work stoppages, strikes, breakdowns, and the recent war. Originally planned for completion by 2021, the project has been delayed until July 2027, with a suggested new completion date of 2030. The project aims to improve train services and reduce maintenance costs compared to diesel-powered equipment.

Israeli care intelligence company Sensi.AI has raised $31 million in a Series B financing round to further develop its advanced audio platform for home care.

Four leading figures in the economic life of northern Israel met to discuss the challenges faced by the region and potential solutions amid the ongoing war.

Calls for ousting Noga Electricity Systems Management CEO Shaul Goldstein continue as former Energy Ministry official agrees that Israel's electricity grid is not ready for war. The official suggests learning from Ukraine's efforts to decentralize and diversify its energy grid for better energy security.

Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that the state must draft yeshiva students into the military and cannot provide financial support to yeshivas for students who have not received an exemption from military service.

The commission investigating the submarines procurement probe has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others involved in the affair. Evidence suggests that Netanyahu made decisions without due process and bypassed the cabinet in agreements with Germany. The commission found disruption in work procedures and decision making mechanisms, posing a risk to state security and harming foreign relations.

Analysts fear that private consumption in Israel may falter due to negative factors such as the war, high interest rates, and expected tax hikes.

Short seller Hedgeye predicts a 30% downside in monday.com's share price over the next 9-12 months.

10 NATO armies have purchased Kibbutz Yagur's Smartshooter AI sights, which are designed to hit ground and aerial targets with the help of artificial intelligence and algorithms.

Investment fund reforms in Israel will come into effect on July 1, aiming to make comparison between fund managers easier and limit exposure to single indices such as Nasdaq.

The Ministry of Finance in Israel has proposed a 5% spending cut in the budgets of government ministries to reduce the fiscal deficit to 3.8% of GDP in 2025.

The Israel Navy's new landing craft, the INS Komemiyut, made a stop in Tangier, Morocco to take on supplies during its journey from the US to Israel. The landing craft are part of the navy's preparations for multi-arena warfare and are designed for the rapid unloading of forces ashore. Moroccan-Israeli relations have been growing, with Morocco procuring Israeli-made weapons in recent years.

The privatization process of Israel Aerospace Industries has been delayed for almost four years, despite the company's bonds being traded on the stock exchange. The acting director of the Government Companies Authority has demanded the renewal of the process.

Israeli tourists are choosing Greece and the Balkans over France and Turkey for their vacations due to safety concerns and anti-Semitism.

Israel plans to open four new medical schools to address its severe shortage of doctors and aims to add 2,000 doctors annually to reach a goal of 3.1 doctors per thousand people.

Israeli ultrasound co Insightec raises $150m in financing round following layoffs and going concern qualification.

Rheinmetall has unveiled a containerized launcher for UVision's loitering munitions system, enhancing swarm attacks and offering versatility in launching from different platforms. UVision has signed a deal to supply loitering munitions to the US Special Operations Command.

Israel has fallen out of the top inflows list for wealthy migrants due to the ongoing war, damaging the country's appeal and economic achievement. The UAE is now the top destination for moneyed migrants.

Israel is modernizing its nuclear arsenal by upgrading its plutonium, as reported by SIPRI.

Gilat Satellite Networks is set to acquire Stellar Blu, an in-flight Internet connectivity company, for $245 million. The deal will enhance Gilat's solutions in the IFC market and is expected to contribute to its non-GAAP profit from the second half of 2025.

Israel's sovereign wealth fund, the Citizens' Fund, has accrued nearly NIS 6 billion in levies from gas partnerships in Israel's offshore fields. The Israel Tax Authority predicts increased levy collection in the coming years.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has become the largest company on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange after a 130% rise in its share price in the past year. The rise is largely due to the company's own efforts, including cost-cutting measures and the introduction of new products. The weakness of the local market has also contributed to Teva's rise, as other companies have not managed similar returns.

Israeli company Nova Ltd. has reached a market cap of $6.912 billion as its share price continues to rise, benefitting from increased demand for AI applications in the chip industry.

The names of five soldiers killed in an explosion in the Gaza Strip have been released. Two soldiers from the Armored Corps were also killed. Demonstrations against the government took place around Israel.

A French court has extended the ban on Israeli companies at the Eurosatory defense event to any Israeli representative.

Israel's May CPI was much lower than expected, while housing prices continue to rise sharply.

US authorities have filed charges against Joonko founder Ilit Raz, alleging fraud of at least $21 million. The SEC criticizes the exaggerated use of AI terminology to attract investors. Joonko recently filed for bankruptcy.

Intel is facing financial challenges in financing its production plant in Israel, leading to a pause in construction. The company's cash flow crisis and difficulties in financing factories are hindering its growth. The postponement of the Israeli plant is not exceptional, as Intel has experienced delays in the construction of its production plants globally.

A US private equity firm is in talks to buy Israeli cyberattack company Paragon Solutions for over $1 billion. The deal may require Israeli government approval and concerns have been raised about political rivalry affecting the decision.

Perion Network's outlook is revised downwards as Microsoft Bing excludes publishers from its search distribution marketplace.

Last week, two Israeli stocks attracted attention on Wall Street: Oddity Tech (Nasdaq: ODD), and Mobileye (Nasdaq: MBLY). The former shot up by more than 20%, and the latter by just under 16%. On the face of it, there is no connection between the cosmetics company and the autotech company.

Israel Police are investigating alleged fraud and breach of trust at the Ministry of Transport following an investigative report that claimed Minister Miri Regev used a traffic light system to rank cities based on their support in the Likud primaries.

Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich clashes with divisional heads over the preparation of the 2025 state budget, demanding faster timetables and criticizing the Budget Division's practices.

Israeli company Psagot has signed an MoU to acquire unmanned ground vehicles company Roboteam, which develops and manufactures military and security robots.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange rose today, but Azrieli Group and other companies saw declines on the index.

Israel's fiscal deficit widens to 7.2% of GDP, exceeding the target of 6.6% set for 2024. Many sources predict it will be challenging for the government to meet this target.

Israeli forces rescue four hostages from the Gaza Strip in a daring daylight operation, leaving one officer dead and four hostages in good condition.

UVision and Mistral have signed a $73.5 million contract to supply loitering munitions to US SOCOM. The munitions are designed to hit tanks and other armored vehicles at medium range and will be manufactured in South Carolina.

Attis Aviation is developing a vertical take-off drone with a hybrid drive system for commercial and military use. The drone has a maximum payload of 40 kilograms and can remain airborne for over 20 hours. It is designed to meet civil aviation standards and can be flown in the same airspace as manned aircraft.