Smotrich huddles with union chief, industry captain on keeping wartime economy running

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich consults with labor and business leaders to discuss steps to keep the economy going during the war with Iran.

In a statement, Smotrich’s office says that he has met with Dubi Amitai, the chair of the Business Sector Presidium, and Histadrut Labor Federation chief Arnon Bar-David to discuss “the state of the Israeli economy during the war and the steps” all three will take “to support the economy and workers and to maximize the functional continuity of the economy during the war.”

The three agree to a series of follow-up meetings, Smotrich’s office announces.

“The Israeli people are demonstrating extraordinary national resilience, which is critical to victory in the necessary existential war that we have embarked on in the face of Iranian threats of annihilation,” he says.

During the war in Gaza “continuous, good, and beneficial dialogue was created between the government, workers, and employers, and we know how to work together well to provide the best response to the economy and the public… The people of Israel are in good and experienced hands.”

Many businesses have been temporarily closed since Israel attacked Iran on Friday morning, sparking a wave of retaliatory missile and drone attacks. The conflict has also shut down Israeli airspace, putting a crimp on imports and exports. However, the stock market has remained open, closing in the green on Sunday in the first day of trading since the hostilities commenced.