Business & Economy

Over a Million Tourists Since January

More than a million tourists came to Israel in the first quarter of this year, despite the tension generated in the region by the “Arab Spring.”

Police: Keep Railway Workers in Jail

Police have asked the court to keep nine Israel Railways workers in jail, including the head of the union.

Striking Railway Workers Ordered Back to Work

Israel Railway workers walked out Wednesday around 10:30 PM in a wildcat strike, leaving trains motionless.

PA Firm Issues 5-Year Corporate Bonds

The Palestinian Authority has issued its first set of five-year corporate bonds. They were purchased by Jordanian and PA banks.

Iran's Bushehr Nuke Plant in Action

Iran has announced that its Bushehr nuclear power plant is up and running after years of delays.

France Adds Funds for PA Unity Gov't

France has agreed to provide additional funding to the new Fatah-Hamas unity government to help cover salaries after Israel froze funds.

Infant Death from Klebsiella Temporarily Closes Sheba NICU

The death of a premature baby due to Klebsiella bacteria at Sheba Medical Center has led to temporary closure of its neonatal intensive care unit.

Intel Chooses Israel to Produce New ’Ivy Bridge’ Processor

Israel’s Intel plant is one of two in the world to produce the 3D “Ivy Bridge” processor, measured in nanometers (billionths of a meter).

EU Learns to Beware of Bearing Gifts to Greeks

Having nudged Portugal into a bailout, the EU expected a respite, but the worsening of the Greek crisis has awakened nightmare scenarios.

Magen Tzedek: Irrelevant Symbol or Ethical Standard?

A new symbol created by the Conservative Movement implies a “gold standard” of ethics above the Jewish kosher laws. Agudath Israel says it's bunk.

Fear of Islam Appears as 2 Imams Pulled Off US Flight

Fear of Islam by at least some Americans was obvious Friday on a flight between two states in the southeastern U.S.

EU Can't Wait for Portuguese Vote, Imposes a Bailout

Portugal given more lenient bailout terms but it must improve the competitiveness of its economy if it truly seeks to surmount the crisis.

Jerusalem's Indivisible Population

Jerusalem is a city that simply cannot be divided, due to the diverse nature of its population, says Mayor Nir Barkat.

Doctors Renew Slowdowns at Hospitals, Clinics

Doctors plan to strike at public hospitals and some clinics at the Clalit and Leumit HMOs in cities around the country.

Gov't Freezes Tax and Customs Funds Transfer to PA

The government has frozen the routine transfer of taxes collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority due to the Fatah-Hamas unity deal.

Israeli Hoop Star Casspi Signs up with Telma Cornflakes

Israel’s Omri Casspi, star of the Sacramento Kings basketball team, is endorsing Israel’s Telma “Cornflakes of Champions” for $200,000.

Swedish Union Invites PFLP Terrorist to Speak

A Swedish trade union has invited convicted Arab terrorist hijacker Leila Khaled to speak at its upcoming May Day celebration.

Arab Upheavals to Boost Mideast Economies?

IMF report: "Changes taking place in the region could provide a boost for its economies."

Housing Complex Started in Mitzpe Yericho

Construction has begun on a 100-unit apartment complex for young families in Mitzpe Yericho, about 20 minutes east of Jerusalem.

'No Deal' Between Doctors and Finance Ministry

Talks between the doctors' union and the Finance Ministry ended late Tuesday night with no resolution.

Can China Buy Protection for Its Protectionism?

Accused of protectionism by the EU, China may attempt to mollify Brussels by investing in European bonds.

Russia Insists on Economic Conditions for Belarus Bailout

Having alienated support, Lukashenko has nobody but Moscow to turn to. Viktor Yanukovych in contrast, steers between Moscow and Brussels.

Israeli Agro-Tech Prompts India to Create Its Own

A visit to Israel has inspired Haryana's Chief Minister to create 11 new centers of excellence in farming in his own state.

Finnish Elections Replicate Euroskeptic Parties Breakthrough

The Pro Israel True Finns are the big winners in the Finnish electionss, complicating bailout talks within the EU.

Analysis: Obama vs. Ryan the Four Trillion Dollar Question

With Obama's speech on the budget, the deficit issue has become the battleground for the 2012 campaign.

Former Agriprocessors Manager Arrested in Israel

Israeli authorities have arrested a former poultry production manager from the Agriprocessors meat packing plant in Postville, Iowa.

BRIC Countries Open Talks in China

Although they portray themselves as developing countries the BRIC countries are wary of each other.

Video: Will the Customers Return to Jaffa Street?

Jerusalem's once-thriving Jaffa Street is undergoing a renewal because of the Light Rail and the customers are turned away, say merchants.

Icelandic No Vote Piques Ireland's Interest

The majority who voted no in Iceland defied their government and have aroused interest in Ireland.

Bidding War Ends with Victories for Xfone and Mirs

Two new competitors will try to carve out a place in Israel's cellular market place. Hopefully the consumer will benefit.

Grocery Chain Told to Rehire 'Violent' Arab Workers

Kimat Chinam has been ordered to rehire 21 fired Arab workers. Store denies discrimination, says workers were aggressive, made threats.

Food Prices Begin to Fall

Global food prices begin to drop after reaching an all-time high in February.

Int'l Monetary Fund, World Bank: PA Ready for Statehood

The International Monetary Fund gave the Palestinian Authority a boost this week, saying it can run the economy of an independent nation.

11 US Senators Vow Support for Israel

Eleven Republican senators have vowed to continue support for Israel's security.

Doctors' 2-Day Strike Ends - 'For Now'

A two-day “warning strike” by Israeli doctors has ended, but the Israel Medical Association says it may resume.

Japan's Radiation Leak Plugged But Problems Persist

A radioactive water leak in Japan has been plugged, but problems persist as scientists fight to keep a nuclear plant stable.

As Interest Rates Soar Portugal Faces Diminishing Alternatives

Portugal's government does not want to ask for a bailout as it fears that this will doom it in the elections. The banks have lost patience.

Billion-Dollar Lawsuit Over Facebook 'Intifada Page'

An American “of Jewish origin” has filed a billion-dollar lawsuit against Facebook for not moving fast enough against 'Third Intifada' organizers.

Pre-Passover Miracle Prices: Chickens for 13 Cents a Pound

Pre-Passover shoppers will be able to buy chickens and matzoh for one shekel a kilogram – 13 cents a pound – as a supermarket chain cuts prices.

Internet Backlash at Facebook Defense of Third Intifada

A growing backlash is underway in response to Facebook's unwillingness to remove a page promoting a third Intifada against Israel. You can join it.

Fischer Cheers Jump in Hareidi-Religious Work Studies

The number of hareidi-religious Jews learning professions has tripled in the last three years, the Bank of Israel announced.

S. African University Cuts Ties with Ben Gurion University

The University of Johannesburg has severed all scientific ties with Israel's Ben Gurion University of the Negev (BGU).

Portugal's Political Crisis Makes a Bailout Inevitable

Prime Minster Jose Socrates' expected resignation means that there will be no government with power to impose austerity measures in the near term.

KISS Founder: Performers Boycotting Israel are 'Fools'

KISS singer-musician Gene Simmons says entertainers who participate in a boycott of Israel are “fools.”

Facebook Buys First Israeli Company

The multi-billion dollar Facebook firm makes its first acquisition in Israel, buying up a developer of Internet applications for mobile phones.

Scientists Build Tool to Spot Ancient Earthquakes

Scientists at Tel Aviv University have created a new tool to help understand the patterns of ancient earthquakes.

Egypt Resumes Gas Deliveries to Israel, Jordan

Egypt has resumed deliveries of natural gas to Israel and Jordan, but the price of the energy may soon be doubled.

Israeli Insurers and Diamantaires Feel Japanese Fallout

Like most participants in the global economy Israel will suffer general and particular losses from the Japanese disaster.

Watchdog Group:You Don't Boycott the MidEast's Only Democracy

JCC Watch is a group focusing on the partnership between the JCC of New York's Upper West Side and supporters of the boycott against Israel.

Another Leak in Egyptian Gas Pipeline

Egypt has reported another leak in its natural gas pipeline, delaying resumption of deliveries to Israel and the rest of the region.

How Long Will the Eurozone Agreement Hold?

Markets were pleasantly surprised that the Euro zone leaders were able to reach an agreement. Skeptics fear it will unravel.

Three Japanese Reactors 'Likely' Heading for Meltdown

Fuel rods in three reactors at Japan's Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant are melting, raising the likelihood of at least a partial meltdown.

Russia 'at Center' of Israel's Tourism Effort

Tourism Ministry: NIS 27 million to be invested in marketing campaign in Russia and Ukraine.

Opposition Leader Tzipi Livni Derides PM's Housing Solution

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni derides PM's solution for housing crisis citing the erosion of Israel's middle class as the crisis' primary cause.

Poets, not Politicians, on New Banknotes

Menachem Begin and Yitzchak Rabin won't appear on Israel's new currency bills. Instead, poets and poetesses will grace our notes.

National People's Congress Addresses Domestic Resentment

In an attempt to assuage both domestic and foreign resentment, China is partially abandoning its export led growth model

Massachusetts Governor Seeks Jobs in Israel

Massachusetts Gov. Patrick arrives in Israel to seek high-tech jobs for his home state. He asks El Al for a direct Boston-Tel Aviv route.

Oprah Winfrey Denies Report She'll Take Her Show to Egypt

Popular television talk show host Oprah Winfrey denies she will take her show on the road to Egypt's Tahrir Square.

The Euro Crisis is Still with Us

While attention has been focused on the Arab world, the European debt crisis is still with us and becoming more intractable.

New Zealand Thanks Israel for Earthquake Aid

New Zealand has thanked Israel for its aid in the wake of a crippling earthquake in Christchurch. Three Israelis are dead, three are still missing.