Finance Ministry

Finance Ministry to approve massive investment in Galilee

The organization Lev BaGalil estimates that approval of the plan could represent a turning point and strengthen the region's standing at the national level.

Finance Ministry reveals cost of Operation Roaring Lion

The Finance Ministry published an estimate of the costs of Operation Roaring Lion. The trial was approximately 35 billion shekels, of which the bulk went to procurements and reservist mobilization.

In small groups

Students to return to schools and kindergartens on Sunday

Prime Minister Netanyahu approves Education Minister Yoav Kisch’s position: Classes for students aged 0-8 will resume nationwide on Sunday, subject to approval by the Home Front Command and decisions by local authority heads.

Will the public fund aid for mortgage borrowers?

Despite opposition from the Bank of Israel and financial professionals, the government is advancing a bill to provide billions in aid to borrowers with variable-rate mortgages.

Finance Ministry announces cuts to fund the war

The professional team at the Finance Ministry is currently drawing up a broad package of cuts and economic measures to finance the large security expenditures of the war with Iran.

9.4 billion NIS per week

Smotrich urges easing war restrictions to boost economy

Finance Ministry seeks easing of restrictions as war with Iran seen costing NIS 9.4 billion per week.

Haredi MK to Finance Ministry: Pay salaries before Passover

MK Yitzhak Goldknopf notes date Passover begins, asks for teachers' and government employees' salaries to be paid early.

Finance Ministry proposes: No school on Fridays

Finance Ministry proposes plan to shorten school week and summer vacation; Teachers Union expected to oppose.

Assessment:

Fitch also expected to improve Israel’s credit rating

The Finance Ministry estimates that the Fitch credit rating agency will soon upgrade Israel’s rating outlook, after Moody’s made a similar move over the weekend.

Start making your wishlist:

Personal import VAT exemption to increase to $150 on Wednesday

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is set to expand the VAT exemption on personal imports from $75 to $150, a move expected to lower costs, boost competition, and expand consumer choice.

Minister Nir Barkat: We will reduce the price of Passover matzah

Joint Price Committee recommends 26.16% reduction in price of kosher for Passover flour sold to matzah bakeries, examines possibility of price controls.

Agreements reached:

Defense budget for 2026 set at 112 billion shekels

After late-night discussions, a defense budget of 112 billion shekels was agreed upon. The Prime Minister decided that the defense budget will increase by 350 billion shekels over the next decade.

Prices up 63% in three years

Bus fares to increase once again in January

Inner-city bus fares are expected to rise to 9 NIS in January as a budget dispute forces cuts and delays tied to the “Transportation Justice” reform.

Yisrael Beyteinu MK demands funding to remove UNRWA facilities

MK Yulia Malinovsky demands immediate funding from the Finance Ministry for implementing the UNRWA laws after a prolonged delay in the actions required to apply the legislation.

First sign of stabilization in Israel's credit rating

Credit ratings agency S&P updated Israel's credit rating outlook from negative to stable, reversing some of the damage done to the credit rating by the uncertainty that accompanied the war.

Finance and Defense Ministry clash over reserve service

At a press conference presenting the 2026 budget assessment, the two ministries blamed on another for causing Israel's security issues.

Netanyahu

'We're entering diplomatic isolation, blocked in arms industry'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledges the impact of diplomatic isolation on Israel’s ability to import weapons and ammunition. “We will need to develop our own industries.”

Finance Ministry announces sweeping cuts to fund the war

The government will convene today (Tuesday) to approve an increase to the 2025 state budget of roughly NIS 31 billion for war-related expenses - as well as cuts to coalition funds and a 3.55% reduction across all government offices.

Finance Min. rejects compensation for Israelis stranded abroad

Finance Ministry refuses to provide full compensation for Israelis stranded abroad during war with Iran; Transportation Ministry slams decision.

Education Minister demands funding cut for Hebrew U & Tel Aviv U

Education Minister Yoav Kisch calls on Finance Ministry to act after universities hosted Nakba events using public resources.

Teachers Union: Schools will open at 11:00 on Sunday morning

Education Ministry supports Teachers Union strikes, calls on Finance Ministry to return to negotiating table.

Due to salary cuts:

Kindergarten and school teachers plan 'sick leave strike'

Finance Ministry announces that the salaries of kindergarten teachers who do not show up for work on Friday will be docked, and their absence will not be recognized as sick leave.

Minister Smotrich:

'The image of victory - the return of residents to the north'

Ministers Smotrich and Elkin published to reimbursement plan for residents returning to northern Israel. Residents will receive a grant of 15,400 NIS for an adult and 7,700 NIS for a child, plus an additional 'vacancy reimbursement.'

Smotrich in Metula:

'We'll continue to invest in the rehabilitation of the north'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visits Metula with the leadership of the Finance Ministry: We are committed to a thorough reconstruction of the entire region.

Ahead of budget approval:

NII stipends won't be frozen, but premiums will rise

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, agree National Insurance Institute premiums will rise, but stipends won't be frozen.

End of sanctions

Teachers' union announces agreement with Finance Ministry

The agreement includes compensation for strike days, bonuses, and a raise in salary.

Finance Minister to propose: Close five government ministries

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to propose that each coalition party choose one ministry to close, aiming to reduce both government spending and public criticism, report says.

Finance Min. planning to cut striking teachers' summer salaries

Teachers' Union calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to intervene, Finance Ministry looks to ensure summer pay for strikers will be affected.

Donations, Trading, and Pay Cuts:

How Israel is financing a tenth month of war

After 300 days of war and with no immediate end in sight, IDF officers are finding it difficult to keep their units fully staffed and equipped.

Smotrich:

Fake news from the Ministry of Defense

In the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Defense has been issuing publications against the Minister of Finance, claiming that he is stopping the purchase of new ammunition for the IDF.

Yeshiva students' children to lose daycare subsidies?

Finance Ministry proposes list of economic sanctions worth hundreds of millions of shekels, in effort to force haredi yeshiva students to enlist in the IDF.

Calls for boycotts

Amnesty Israel summonsed to defend tax benefits

The Israeli branch of Amnesty International was summonsed to a hearing by the Finance Ministry before its tax benefits are revoked for echoing its parent organization's calls to boycott Israel.

Sderot Mayor:

Netanyahu must talk with the citizens directly

Mayor Alon Davidi says that the Prime Minister must personally guarantee that it is safe for citizens to return home.

Finance Ministry official:

Residents of Gaza region must prepare to return home

A senior official in the Finance Ministry warns that the costs of keeping evacuees out of their homes is growing too great for the Israeli economy.

Finance Ministry proposes: Close 10 government offices

Finance Ministry compiles list of suggestions to save public funds - including closing government offices.

Finance Ministry pushes for slew of new taxes, Smotrich refuses

Ministry officials asked for cutting tax credits per child or for finishing degrees and called for taxes on income, apartments, and Netflix.

Haredi MK slams Budgets Department: Salaries must be paid

'Projects will need to be put on hold, but salaries must be taken care of,' MK Pindrus insists.

Mayors demand more funding for community activities

Dozens of mayors have demanded that the Finance Ministry release more funding for community activities to help cope with the war.

Independent workers demand economic support during war

Oren Buta, head of the Independent Workers Movement, says the government must extend more comprehensive support to independents.

State-backed loans to be offered to keep businesses afloat

The Finance Ministry will offer a variety of loans to businesses affected by the war to mitigate the economic damage to Israel.

Due to support of Hamas:

Finance Minister Smotrich calls to stop funding PA

Finance Minister Smotrich instructed to halt transferring funds that are collected for the PA until the cabinet decides on the matter.

Smotrich: 'We will give all the monetary backing needed to win'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says he is personally ensuring that everyone impacted by the war will receive compensation.

Finance Minister denies additional funds were sent to PA

Sources close to Smotrich deny reports of hundreds of millions of shekels moving to the Palestinian Authority.

Increase in the number of haredim in the workforce

Ministry of Finance data shows increase in number of working haredi community members since 2019, partly unrelated to population growth.

Teachers' Union continues sanctions against government

The union claims the government has rapidly reneged on the arrangement that allowed the school year to start on time.

PA electric bill:

Finance Ministry to collect millions from Palestinian Authority

New plan allows Israel to deduct 20-30 million NIS each month from money passed to Palestinian Authority, for repayment of electricity debt.

Teachers' strike looms as school year approaches

Both teachers and government officials say they have not yet reached a compromise that will prevent a strike.

Smotrich rolls out new oversight plan

The Finance Ministry will work with a series of other authorities to prevent government money from going to organized crime.

Finance Min. aiming to cut millions from Judea & Samaria budget

Finance Ministry aiming to cut budgets transferred by former Min. Ayelet Shaked.

Cost of public transportation won't rise - at least until 2024

Planned 12% price hike for public transportation will be delayed at least until late 2024, report says.

Finance

Shedding Light On The Intersection Of Crypto

Cryptocurrency and forex trading are two of the most popular forms of trading in the financial markets.

Tax on soft drinks scrapped:

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich abolishes tax

Stores have committed to reducing prices within three days, Smotrich says.

Finance Ministry establishes special team to face SVB collapse

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has ordered a special team of experts to evaluate the impact of the SVB collapse on the Israeli economy.

Cabinet to discuss state budget

A day before the deadline for the cabinet to approve the budget, Finance Minister has a multi-front war to fight.

For the first time:

Smotrich doubles offset of PA terror funding

Twice the amount the PA pays terrorists to be deducted from PA tax revenues. Smotrich: "We will no longer be party to this farce."

Report:

Deri walks out of meeting with Netanyahu and Smotrich

Shas chairman seeks to bypass the budget department when it comes to his ministries. Smotrich objects.

Poll:

Public thinks Deri, Smotrich not suitable for Finance, Defense

Israeli public not thrilled with Shas chairman as Finance Minister and Religious Zionism chairman as Defense Minister.

Former Labor chairwoman:

'Amen that Deri will be Minister of Finance'

Shelly Yechimovich is certain that Deri would be many times better than Liberman and Smotrich in the Ministry of Finance.

Coalition negotiations:

Deri opts for Finance; Likud wants Defense for itself

Religious Zionism: Smotrich will be next Defense Minister

Smotrich willing to give up Finance Ministry

Religious Zionist Party chairman told Shas chairman he would give up the Finance Ministry for him and demand the Defense Ministry.