Israeli economy

Israelis wear protective face masks in Dizengoff Center, Tel Aviv, on August 17, 2021. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

September 26, 2021, 5:17 pm

Israeli unemployment rate dips slightly but still well above pre-pandemic level

Government report says jobless rate dropped to 7.8%; ‘When the country is open, unemployment goes down,’ claims Bennett

By TOI staff

View of the Haifa Bay on April 24, 2018. (Yossi Zamir/Flash90)

September 2, 2021, 1:28 pm

Israel inaugurates Chinese-run Haifa port terminal, in likely boost for economy

$1.7b terminal operated by state-owned Shanghai firm to handle large vessels of some 18,000 containers; Transportation Minister Michaeli says it will accelerate trade, lower prices

By Ricky Ben-David

Ultra-Orthodox young women who are part of the Adva program that aims to train them with skills for the high-tech sector. (Courtesy)

August 29, 2021, 6:45 pm

Israel offers funding for innovative ways to train new candidates for tech jobs

Israel Innovation Authority to back startups and initiatives working to tap into talents of communities underrepresented in industry

By Ricky Ben-David

Israelis shop at the Azrieli mall in Tel Aviv, on July 13, 2021. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

August 4, 2021, 6:01 pm

Average salary falls as lower-paying industries continue pandemic recovery

Pay for Israeli workers drops 3% to NIS 11,300 per month, as employees return to hospitality and entertainment sectors

By Luke Tress

An Israeli woman outside a distribution center for needy people in Lod, September 11, 2012. Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

August 3, 2021, 11:35 pm

Minimum wage hikes in Israel benefit men more than women, think tank says

Salary increases for lowest wage earners contributed to gender gap in employment, with more women losing work, according to new study

By Luke Tress

Jaffa Street in Jerusalem, July 29, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

August 2, 2021, 11:45 pm

Unemployment still high despite cut to pandemic benefits

Government report says jobless rate last month climbed to 9%, even after most support was removed; Delta variant may cause further losses

By Luke Tress

Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz speaks during his visit to the Beilinson Medical Center, on July 27, 2021. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

July 30, 2021, 10:32 pm

Meretz ups threat to oppose budget as talks to boost healthcare funds break down

Cabinet is set to review and vote on the Finance Ministry’s proposal for the new state budget, but many points of disasgreement remain between ministers

By TOI staff

View of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. on November 29, 2020. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

July 29, 2021, 11:37 pm

Fitch reaffirms Israel’s A+ rating, citing strong finances, pandemic rebound

Ratings agency expects debt to decline as COVID wanes, new government advances budget; notes coalition fragility, regional security risks

By Luke Tress

Meretz party chair Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz leads a Meretz faction meeting at the Knesset on July 26, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

July 26, 2021, 7:03 pm

Health minister warns he won’t back budget unless healthcare funding is boosted

‘There could be a very big crisis here’: Meretz’s Nitzan Horowitz threatens to withdraw support from state budget, which will need full coalition support to pass

By Raoul Wootliff

July 13, 2021, 5:52 pm

Jehuda Haddad

Bolstering Ashdod as an academic city should be a key government priority

In recent years, Ashdod has grown to become the sixth-largest city in Israel, having doubled its population within a space of two decades

Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman at a press briefing with journalists in Jerusalem (Shoshanna Solomon/Times of Israel)

July 13, 2021, 4:34 pm

Liberman to bring budget to cabinet in August, seeks hike in home property tax

Finance minister says he hopes for 5% annual economic growth in next 4 years, budget deficit target of 7.1% of GDP for 2021 is reachable

By Shoshanna Solomon

Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron speaking at the annual Eli Hurvitz economic conference in Jerusalem held by the Israel Democracy Institute; June 29, 2021 (Israel Democracy Institute)

From the WebJuly 12, 2021, 12:38 pm

Israel’s cenbank chief sees possible inflation target tweaks

Reuters: Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron says that as tech and online shopping push prices lower, the central bank is reassessing the inflation target regime

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett leads a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on June 20, 2021 (Alex Kolomoisky/POOL)

July 8, 2021, 3:11 pm

Israel budget plan: Boost AI, convert offices to homes, promote weed exports

Ahead of state budget approval, Finance Ministry presents structural changes that are part of economic plan for 2021-2022

By Shoshanna Solomon

Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman, left to right, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar and deputy minister Abir Kara present new plan to cut back Israeli red tape; Jerusalem , July 6, 2021 (Kobi Gideon / GPO)

July 6, 2021, 12:20 pm

Israel strives for ‘smart regulation’ to help boost post-COVID economy

Over-regulation weighs down growth, productivity, report says, calling for new regulatory authority; cutting down rules could generate up to NIS 100 billion for economy

By Shoshanna Solomon

Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron, speaking at the Eli Hurvitz Conference on Economy and Society organized by the Israel Democracy Institute, December 17, 2019 (Michal Fattal)

July 5, 2021, 4:36 pm

Bank of Israel keeps rates unchanged, says COVID still poses ‘risk’ to economy

Central bank holds key lending rate at record low 0.1%; monetary policy will be ‘very accommodative’ for a prolonged period; cuts forecast for GDP growth to 5.5% in 2021

By Shoshanna Solomon