Israeli airline Arkia will offer business class on its Tel Aviv - New York flights, starting at $3,500 round-trip. The business class will include various amenities and the aircraft will be leased from GullivAir.

Transport Minister Miri Regev is close to finalizing an agreement with the Ministry of Finance on financing for her flagship project, the Kiryat Shemona railway, in exchange for her support of a congestion charge in Gush Dan.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange saw gains today, while the All Bond corporate bond index fell slightly. The shekel-dollar and shekel-euro rates also increased.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is expected to open negatively today after recording its worst day since October 2023. Statistics show a two-thirds chance of high returns after a steep one-day fall. Yields on Israel government bonds are rising sharply.

Israel's cabinet passes no confidence vote in Attorney General who accuses government of seeking to be above the law.

Dr. Ola Gutzeit of Rambam Hospital has developed an organ-on-a-chip model of the female reproductive system to study its complexities and address challenges in fertility.

The shekel is at its weakest for five months against the dollar and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is falling sharply amid political and security tensions in Israel.

The main indices on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange fell today, with Electreon continuing to slide, apparently because of the announcement by BYD of a breakthrough new battery.

Nine Israeli healthcare startups have showcased their AI-driven innovations as part of the Dangoor HealthTech Academy, a program connecting Israeli startups with the UK healthcare system.

Energean's $1b gas fields sale is in jeopardy due to regulatory issues with the buyer.

The Competition Authority has given approval for Delek Group to acquire Isracard, a credit card company, in a planned takeover.

Israeli visual generative AI platform developer Bria has raised $40 million in a Series B financing round to further develop its platform and expand its attribution engine to include music, video, and text generation.

Institutional investors are blocking OrCam's recovery plan, causing a dispute and reducing the company's available capital.

Egged wins tender to operate Tel Aviv light rail Green and Purple Lines, despite government ministry opposition to one operator for the entire network.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange saw gains, while the Bank of Israel adjusted the shekel-dollar and shekel-euro rates.

A penthouse in Tel Aviv's Park Bavli project was sold for NIS 43 million, with a price per square meter higher than the average in the neighborhood.

El Al pilots and employees received a bonus of nearly NIS 250,000 each due to the company's success in 2024.

Meitar reclaims top spot as Israel's biggest law firm, followed by Herzog Fox Neeman, according to Dun & Bradstreet's rankings. Last year's top firm, Golfarb Gross Seligman, slips to third place.

First International Bank of Israel (FIBI) has reported a net profit of NIS 2.37 billion for 2024, the highest return on equity among all banks.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange experienced declines, while Matrix IT and Magic Software Enterprises saw significant increases after signing a memorandum of understanding.

Tel Aviv's real estate market is facing an oversupply of agents and a shortage of housing deals, leading many agents to potentially leave the profession.

AI21 has launched Maestro, an AI Planning and Orchestration System, to improve the accuracy of AI systems and manage an organization's AI processes. It also introduced Jamba 1.6, its most advanced open model for private enterprise deployment.

Israel Discount Bank reports NIS 4.3b profit for 2024, with credit to the public rising 8% and a decrease in credit loss expense.

Matrix IT is set to acquire Magic Software Enterprises in a major Israeli IT merger, making Magic a wholly owned subsidiary of Matrix.

Over half of the office space in the BIG Fashion Glilot office tower has been leased, with prices lower than peak prices in Tel Aviv but higher than rents in areas outside the city.

ZIM's stock price rises on rumors of a management-led buyout by CEO Eli Glickman, but investors may oppose the deal and the transaction could face challenges in Israel.

Azerbaijan's SOCAR is partnering with BP and NewMed Energy to explore gas in Israel's economic waters, marking its increased involvement in Israel's energy industry and its first drilling operations outside of Azerbaijan.

Orbit Technologies has won a $2.2 million contract to provide a satellite communications system for a naval military platform. The company's products are used by naval fleets and major companies worldwide.

Israel's Minister of Justice has started proceedings to oust the Attorney General, accusing her of acting in a discriminatory and political manner.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange rose today, but the All Bond corporate bond index fell. Delek Group and NewMed Energy experienced the biggest declines on the Tel Aviv 35 Index.

Jared Kushner is building a business empire in the Middle East, with investments in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Albania. His private equity fund, Affinity Partners, has close ties to Saudi Arabia and is betting on normalization with the country. Kushner's connections and influence have played a significant role in his success.

An investor has purchased a six-room house in Eilat for NIS 5.8 million. The house has a swimming pool and overlooks the sea, and will be ready for occupancy in several months.

European countries increasing defense spending and rearming, leading to surge in defense stocks. Israeli defense companies expected to benefit from increased demand and collaborate with European countries.

Boston Scientific is set to acquire Israeli medical device company SoniVie for up to $540m. SoniVie has developed an intravascular ultrasound device for treating high blood pressure.

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank achieved record net profit in 2024 and plans to pay a significant dividend on its fourth-quarter profit.

Israel's biggest shopping mall, BIG Fashion Glilot, opens on Thursday. The mall features over 160 flagship stores of international and Israeli brands, as well as a variety of restaurants and dining options.

The proportion of 'ghost' jobs in Israel has increased to 9%-11%, attributed to organizational inefficiency and lack of human resources. This phenomenon is not unique to Israel, as tech giants in the US and Swedish payments giant Klarna have also been found to continue advertising jobs despite hiring freezes.

Light rail fares in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have increased by 3.3% to finance a moderation in public transport fare hikes. Bus fares will also increase by 33.3% and discounts will be provided to designated populations.

A dispute over the number of entrances and exits at stations could delay the construction of Israel's Metro project, the country's biggest-ever national project.

Tech salaries in Israel are declining and job supply is decreasing in the tech industry, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.

Multiple second-hand apartments were recently sold in different cities in Israel, with prices ranging from NIS 1.25 million to NIS 5 million.

President Trump's relocation plan for Gazans is straining relations between Israel and Egypt, with increasing talk of Egypt preparing for war. Experts believe the chances of a military clash are low, but tensions remain.

Isracard shareholders have approved the acquisition of the company by Delek Group, pending regulatory approval.

Tel Aviv-Yafo Local Planning and Building Committee approves plan for Hahashmal neighborhood, including a 30-floor tower, to rejuvenate the area previously occupied by the Israel Electric Corp.

Direct shipping of vehicles to Israeli ports from East Asia via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea is set to resume, pending stability in the region, providing a competitive advantage to importers. However, insurance rates and the resumption of shipping to Eilat port remain uncertain.

Four tenders in Sde Dov, north Tel Aviv, have been successfully marketed with bids of NIS 6.3 billion for almost 4,000 housing units, reflecting prices over 40% lower than in 2022.

The CEOs of Victory Supermarket Chain and Yochananof and Sons have been indicted by the Israel Competition Authority for price fixing in the food industry and violations of the Food Law.

Ticket prices for direct flights between Tel Aviv and New York remain high despite the return of US airlines and the entry of Arkia into the market.

The Ministry of Finance in Israel is publishing a tender for operating the congestion charge in the Tel Aviv metropolitan region. Minister of Transport Miri Regev has dropped her opposition to the project, reportedly in exchange for financing railways to Kiryat Shmona and Eilat.

AI startup SSI, founded by OpenAI founder Ilya Sutskever, is in talks to raise over $1 billion at a valuation of over $30 billion, making it one of the most valuable tech companies. SSI's current financing round continues the trend of large investments in AI.

Intel Israel's fate is uncertain as the company engages in sale talks with TSMC and Broadcom.

Teva CEO Richard Francis responds to the share price fall, expressing optimism about the company's growth potential and highlighting its investment in the business and focus on branded drugs, biosimilars, and generics.

Israel's economy grew by 1% in 2024, exceeding expectations, but with negative GDP per capita growth. Key industries and business sectors suffered significant damage.

The Israel Tax Authority is set to publish a new voluntary disclosure procedure that will include a fast track for reporting cryptocurrency profits and limit the discretion of assessment officials to disclose profits from digital assets.

Meitav predicts that more Israelis will choose renting over buying, leading to potential consequences such as falling apartment prices and increased inflation.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy expresses relief and gratitude for the release of employee Sasha Troufanov, who was held hostage since October 7, 2023.

Israel's biggest shopping center, BIG Fashion Glilot, is set to open, offering 44,000 square meters of commercial space. The complex is expected to pose a real competition to surrounding malls, potentially putting some out of business.

CyberArk acquires Zilla Security for $165 million and reports strong Q4 results, becoming Israel's second most valuable company.

The TASE tumbled after high US inflation data and ongoing uncertainty about the Gaza truce.

In 2024, 50% of housing deals in Israel involved special offers by contractors for apartments not yet built, with small down-payments and the remainder paid on occupancy after construction is completed. The southern region had near record annual sales, with the highest number of new apartment sales in at least 25 years. The real estate market is worsening, with a decline in the number of deals and an increase in the use of financial offers by developers.

Israel successfully raises $5 billion in international bond offering, demonstrating financial stability and investor confidence.

The shekel weakens as uncertainties surrounding the release of hostages and the ceasefire with Hamas persist. Bank Hapoalim predicts the shekel will continue to strengthen in the long term.

Meta (Facebook) is laying off 5% of its employees worldwide, including in Israel, with approximately 40 employees in Israel being dismissed.

Elbit Systems has been awarded a $100 million contract to provide a Joint National Digital Fire Command Center and integrate strategic and tactical firing platforms for a European country.

Investor Sender Cohen is raising $800 million to establish private research labs in Israel called Nevo Labs, focusing on AI, quantum computing, and synthetic biology. The labs aim to attract doctoral students back to Israel and contribute to long-term scientific development.

Recent real estate deals in various cities in Israel, including apartments sold in Petah Tikva, Ashdod, Kiryat Motzkin, Tiberias, Ashkelon, and Ofakim.

Israeli digital payments company Rapyd is in talks to raise $300 million at a company valuation of $3.5 billion, a 60% cut from its peak valuation of $9 billion in 2021, according to sources.

The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu has increased the chances of Israel's 2025 budget being approved, but challenges remain.

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange rises after Trump's meeting with Netanyahu.

The shekel continues to strengthen against the dollar and euro, maintaining its rebound from earlier losses.

AppsFlyer is laying off 7% of its employees in preparation for an IPO and aims to raise $300 million through the IPO this year.

The average monthly wage in Israel reached a record high in December 2024, with a significant increase compared to the previous year.

Bank Hapoalim's chief economic advisor warns of potential negative effects of US tariffs, including a trade war, inflation, and interest rate rises. He suggests that President Trump may back down from the tariffs. The effects on Israel will be indirect, with potential impacts on inflation, interest rates, and global trade.

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange falls after Trump's tariff threats, causing declines on global markets.

Fortissimo will invest $120m in Stratasys for a 14% stake, reflecting a 10.6% premium on the share price.

Israeli startups raised nearly $700 million in January 2025, with UVeye securing the largest financing round of $191 million.

WhatsApp accuses Paragon Solutions of attempting to breach the devices of 90 users, including journalists. Paragon declined to comment. WhatsApp sent a 'cease and desist' warning letter and vows to protect private communication. The users targeted were from various countries, including Europe. Paragon's Graphite software can extract data from encrypted chat apps.

Teva's share price falls after guidance release, but analysts see investment and debt reduction as positive factors.

Azerbaijan's SOCAR is set to acquire a 10% stake in the Israeli offshore gas field Tamar from businessman Aaron Frenkel, strengthening economic ties between the US, Azerbaijan, and Israel.

Mobileye's Q4 2024 revenue beats forecast, but 2025 guidance disappoints investors.

Gasoline prices in Israel are set to increase on Saturday night due to the rise in the price of oil and a strengthening shekel.

Israeli car cybersecurity company GuardKnox has filed for court protection due to its debt and cash flow crisis. The company has ongoing liabilities of NIS 11 million and has been forced to lay off employees and cut salaries. Despite financial difficulties, GuardKnox has active transactions with Israeli security agencies and the US military.

Israel's Ministry of Defense announced that it had not approved the sale of cyberattack company Paragon Solutions, but it has been revealed that the deal had already been completed. The Ministry of Defense is currently examining the change of ownership. The deal includes a cash payment of $500 million and another $400 million subject to meeting targets.

The Israel Bar Association is under siege as legislation threatens its status and attempts are made to weaken it. Recent legislative processes have limited the IBA's budget and proposed replacing it with a Lawyers Council controlled by the ruling coalition. The IBA is expected to petition the High Court of Justice against the law limiting its budget and is preparing financially for the budget cut.

US data security company Tenable Holdings is acquiring Israeli cybersecurity company Vulcan Cyber for $180 million, marking Tenable's third acquisition in Israel in the past five years.

Israeli tour package group Kavei Hufsha plans to establish a new Israeli airline focusing on short-haul flights to destinations within four to five hours of Israel. The process of establishing the airline is complex and will take at least 18 months.

Mizrahi Tefahot regional financial advisor David Shelly warns on the US economy and recommends that Israeli investors bring funds back home to Israel.

Former Moderna CMO Dr. Tal Zaks is leading Israeli gene editing company Averna Therapeutics in developing groundbreaking drugs for rare genetic diseases.

New US regulations will require Israeli autotech companies to disclose their ties to China as a condition for participating in future supply contracts with Western vehicle manufacturers.

Israeli gaming company Moon Active is laying off between 50 and 100 employees as part of a streamlining process. The company, known for its successful game Coinmaster, has about 2,500 employees worldwide and generates an estimated annual revenue of $2 billion.

Foreign residents bought 1,900 homes in Israel in 2024, a 50% increase from the previous year. Jerusalem is the most popular location for these purchases, primarily driven by religious Jews. The surge in purchases contributed to a record amount of mortgages taken in December 2024.

Minister of Justice Yariv Levin refuses to cooperate with Yitzhak Amit, who was chosen as the permanent president of the Supreme Court. Levin claims the appointment process was flawed and illegal. The dispute has left many judicial vacancies unfilled.

Pearl Cohen is merging with VMM to strengthen its presence on the West Coast of the US and expand its intellectual property services. The merger will bring in experienced attorneys and paralegals, increasing the firm's total number of attorneys and patent agents to 250.

The Israeli Ministry of Education has not hired any teachers on personal contracts despite a program agreed upon with the Teachers Union in 2022. The shortage of teachers in key subjects continues to impact the education system.

Israel Aerospace Industries' Indian partner Bharat Dynamics has won a $340m contract with the Indian Navy, Elbit America has received a $139m order for night vision goggles for the US Army, and Plasan Sasa is collaborating with Hanwha Aerospace on protection kits for howitzers and ammunition resupply vehicles.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange saw a decline this week, with major indices falling. Bank Leumi led trading today, while Navitas, Sapiens, and Alony Hetz were notable advancers.