The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sharon-wrobel/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Mon, 06 Jul 2026 03:51:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Sharon Wrobel | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sharon-wrobel/ 32 32 Strong shekel makes Israeli tech workers pricier than their US counterparts, study shows https://www.timesofisrael.com/strong-shekel-makes-israeli-tech-workers-pricier-than-their-us-counterparts-study-shows/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:53:30 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3854250 Lobby of Israeli tech firms warns that local tech talent is losing its competitive edge, as higher salary costs due to the strong shekel threaten to drive out future innovation

The post Strong shekel makes Israeli tech workers pricier than their US counterparts, study shows appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Finance and Defense ministries reach deal to give IDF an extra NIS 15 billion https://www.timesofisrael.com/finance-and-defense-ministries-reach-deal-to-give-idf-an-extra-nis-15-billion/ Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:11:04 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3854329 Deal mediated by National Security Council prevents potential tax hikes and spending cuts incurred by reopening of 2026 state budget, which already included record defense spending

The post Finance and Defense ministries reach deal to give IDF an extra NIS 15 billion appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Israel ranks 18th in global wealth list as 8,800 Israelis become new millionaires https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-ranks-18th-in-global-wealth-list-as-8800-israelis-become-new-millionaires/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:20:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3853538 UBS report finds Israel is home to 195,000 millionaires at the end of 2025, an increase of 4.7% over 2024; while average wealth rose, inequality has deepened ⁠since 2020

The post Israel ranks 18th in global wealth list as 8,800 Israelis become new millionaires appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Lufthansa, ITA Airways resume flights to and from Ben Gurion after Iran war halt https://www.timesofisrael.com/lufthansa-ita-airways-resume-flights-to-and-from-ben-gurion-after-iran-war-halt/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:57:53 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3853421 Major airlines join several European operators in returning to Israel amid US-Iran deal; more to follow in coming weeks, with return of US carriers set for September

The post Lufthansa, ITA Airways resume flights to and from Ben Gurion after Iran war halt appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Israel rolls out NIS 1.6 billion aid plan for tech sector hit by rapid shekel surge https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-rolls-out-nis-1-6-billion-aid-plan-for-tech-sector-hit-by-rapid-shekel-surge/ Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:53:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3852624 Government says program will help extend eroded financial runway of startups and export companies and enable them to maintain and expand their R&D centers and operations in Israel

The post Israel rolls out NIS 1.6 billion aid plan for tech sector hit by rapid shekel surge appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Radar tech AI startup clinches deal for drone attack warning system to Israeli army https://www.timesofisrael.com/radar-tech-ai-startup-clinches-deal-for-drone-attack-warning-system-to-israeli-army/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:40:46 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3852165 As part of the deal, Magos will supply hundreds of its radar-based detection systems to protect ground forces against approaching unmanned aerial threats, including fiber-optic drones

The post Radar tech AI startup clinches deal for drone attack warning system to Israeli army appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Investment in Israeli health tech startups plunged 40% in 2025 – report https://www.timesofisrael.com/investment-in-israeli-health-tech-startups-dove-40-in-2025-report/ Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:13:19 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3851515 While the global industry saw a resurgence in private funding, investments in Israeli startups hit a five-year low amid geopolitical uncertainty

The post Investment in Israeli health tech startups plunged 40% in 2025 – report appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Transportation Ministry says it reached deal to clear US jets clogging up Tel Aviv airport https://www.timesofisrael.com/transportation-ministry-says-it-reached-deal-to-clear-us-jets-clogging-up-tel-aviv-airport/ Sat, 27 Jun 2026 07:03:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3850818 Reports say terms agreed after minister asked Netanyahu to intervene personally, will see 30 refuelers and cargo planes leave Ben Gurion for Israeli Air Force bases by Tuesday

The post Transportation Ministry says it reached deal to clear US jets clogging up Tel Aviv airport appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Smotrich vows long-sought assistance plan for Israeli tech harmed by strong shekel https://www.timesofisrael.com/smotrich-vows-long-sought-assistance-plan-for-israeli-tech-harmed-by-strong-shekel/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:20:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3850100 Amid wave of layoffs and fears that multinationals and local tech will relocate abroad, government set to propose package to help mitigate financial damage created by shekel spike

The post Smotrich vows long-sought assistance plan for Israeli tech harmed by strong shekel appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Reduced US refuelers at Ben Gurion still put flights of 100,000 summer travelers at risk https://www.timesofisrael.com/reduced-us-refuelers-at-ben-gurion-still-put-flights-of-100000-summer-travelers-at-risk/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:05:37 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3849132 Aviation officials demand removal of at least 15 more US tankers crowding out civilian planes at Israel’s main airport, ahead of peak July-August travel season

The post Reduced US refuelers at Ben Gurion still put flights of 100,000 summer travelers at risk appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Backed by Google and Meta, Israeli ad performance company raises over $1 billion https://www.timesofisrael.com/backed-by-google-and-meta-israeli-ad-performance-company-raises-over-1-billion/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:25:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3848405 AppsFlyer gets capital injection from 4 top ad platforms to develop independent ad measurement tools for the AI era, designed to help firms gauge the success of marketing campaigns

The post Backed by Google and Meta, Israeli ad performance company raises over $1 billion appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Investors sour on Israel as US moves to end fighting, blunting market’s wartime gains https://www.timesofisrael.com/investors-sour-on-israel-as-us-moves-to-end-fighting-blunting-markets-wartime-gains/ Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:34:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3847473 As stocks rise across the globe on news of war with Iran ending, Tel Aviv sees sharp declines amid waning confidence in prospect of new Mideast and improved geopolitical landscape

The post Investors sour on Israel as US moves to end fighting, blunting market’s wartime gains appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Uber puts Israeli AI startup in driver’s seat for Munich robotaxi test run https://www.timesofisrael.com/uber-puts-israeli-ai-startup-in-drivers-seat-for-munich-robotaxi-test-run/ Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:45:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3843684 Looking for path to scale up service, US ride-hailing firm teams up with Autobrains for low-cost, vehicle-ready tech that developers say outpaces competition by using AI agents working in concert

The post Uber puts Israeli AI startup in driver’s seat for Munich robotaxi test run appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Valued at $3 billion, Israeli cyber unicorn aims to help governments own and control their AI https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-cyber-unicorn-valued-at-3-billion-aims-to-help-governments-own-and-control-their-ai/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:32:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3845541 Founded by Shalev Hulio, former CEO of spyware firm NSO, and ex-Austrian chancellor Kurz, Dream looks to secure and protect government data in the AI cyber warfare race

The post Valued at $3 billion, Israeli cyber unicorn aims to help governments own and control their AI appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> After more than 50 years, US engine-maker Pratt & Whitney is shutting down Israel factory https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-more-than-50-years-us-engine-maker-pratt-whitney-is-shutting-down-israel-factory/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:58:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3844913 Following four years of struggle to prevent the closure of the plant, formerly owned by the Wertheimer family, BTL's 600 workers in the north will be laid off

The post After more than 50 years, US engine-maker Pratt & Whitney is shutting down Israel factory appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]>