Israel economy

Israel against the current

While the world talks about interest rate hikes, Israel returns to rate cuts

Matan Shitrit, Chief Economist at Phoenix Financial
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the general Conference of Fatah Youth in Ramallah, with a backdrop including a portrait of Abbas and Yasser Arafat, November 27, 2025; illustrative.

The PA's collapse could lead to Hamas's rise in the West Bank - opinion

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to international media on the Gaza war, in Jerusalem, August 10, 2025

Reputational security: Israel's strategic asset in free fall - opinion

Nvidia in Israel.

Nvidia, Google ask to pay Israel taxes in dollars as shekel gains


Knesset Labor Committee: IDF capitalization pensioners no longer repay loans 'for life'

In a significant move, the Knesset's Labor and Welfare committee has given the green light for certain IDF retirees to halt ongoing monthly repayments on loans taken out against their pensions.

MK Ofir Katz speaks during a Labor and Welfare Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on February 13. 2024.

Spar chain launches the first branch in Israel

A local retailer invested NIS 10 million in a branch in Kfar Saba. The goal: 2,000 products within three years.

Spar Israel

Shekel drops as Hezbollah hits North

Israel's uncertain security situation and the threat of war in the north was part of Moody's downgrade of the country's credit rating last month.

 An illustrative image of a graph going down.

Bringing a globally popular brand to succeed in the local arena as well?

Brands that have made the leap and those that haven't yet: What are the chances that we will see Primark and Starbucks in Israel?

 Food brands that came from America and failed to win the heart of the Israeli consumer

Bitcoin's triple trigger - opinion

Every four years, as if by the decree of some digital Poseidon, the reward for mining new bitcoins is slashed in half, reducing the influx of new coins into circulation.

 BITCOIN IS charting a bold course through uncharted waters, says the writer.

Israel's high-tech industry is a beacon of resilience - opinion

Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Israeli entrepreneurs and innovators have continued to work, create, and collaborate.

 AN AION Labs company creation workshop takes place last year in Rehovot.

War, women, school, real estate: Why Israel's economy is failing and how to fix it - opinion

The Israeli economy is in shambles; long school days, Palestinians forbidden to work, and lack of enthusiasm to invest in real estate contribute to the crisis

  We have to lead a long school day. A blessing for parents, profit for children and an opportunity to improve teachers' income

Despite concerns about Israel's financial standing, history proves optimistic - opinion

As Moody released its report on Israel, questions arise of whether the war will bolster or cripple the economy amidst halted investments, workforce disruptions, and increased defense spending

 FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich speaks at a meeting of his Religious Zionist Party parliamentary faction, last week, in the Knesset. Will the war bring an economic boom like the Six Day War, or a bust like Yom Kippur? There are arguments supporting both sides, says the writer.

Knesset Finance Committee begins debate over renewed budget

Committee members, mostly from the opposition, voiced concerns over the budget, especially in the wake of the credit rating agency Moody's decision on Friday to lower Israel's rating.

 Head of the Finance committee MK Moshe Gafni leads a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on December 25, 2023.

'Political manifesto:' Israeli FM Smotrich attacks Israel's credit rating downgrade

"Moody's announcement of the downgrade is not based on serious economic arguments and is entirely a political manifesto based on a pessimistic and unfounded geopolitical worldview."

 FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich attends a discussion on the state budget, at the Knesset Finance Committee, in July. The state budget for 2024 and the next few years must be fundamentally redrafted, say the writers.