Starting February 18, 2025, any company or partnership that registers with the Corporations Authority or changes its name will receive a Certificate of Incorporation or a Certificate of Name Change…
Cymulate has acquired Israeli startup CYNC Secure to enhance its upcoming threat exposure management platform. The move aims to streamline vulnerability validation and improve cybersecurity efficiency through AI-driven insights.
A short-lived tax on single-use plastics originally introduced as an environmental measure caused deep and enduring damage to climate ...
By Pesach Benson • June 5, 2025
Jerusalem, 5 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — A short-lived tax on single-use plastics originally introduced as an environmental measure caused deep and enduring damage to climate attitudes in Israel’s Haredi Orthodox sector because of perceived political targeting, a study released on Thursday has found.
Support for environmental action in Haredi communities plummeted almost immediately after a 2021 tax was implemented — and stayed low, even after it was repealed in January 2023.
“These findings are both fascinating and concerning,” said Leah Bloy, a Ph.D candidate at Hebrew University of Jerusalem who led the research. “Our data shows that when environmental policies are perceived as punitive or politically charged, they can provoke a backlash that undermines long-term climate goals—even after the policy itself is revoked.”
Published in the peer-reviewed Policy Sciences journal, Bloy worked in collaboration with Dr. Nechumi Malovicki-Yaffe, Dr. Boaz Hameiri, and Dr. Ram Fishman from Tel Aviv University.
Through six rounds of surveys between 2021 and 2024, the team documented a striking pattern.
The tax, introduced by Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry in 2021, aimed to curb the country’s high use of disposable plasticware, particularly in the Haredi sector, which has among the highest per capita consumption of such items. While it did lead to an immediate reduction in plastic use, the researchers found that it also ignited a powerful sense of political victimhood. Many Haredi respondents believed the measure was not about the environment but rather a veiled attempt to impose secular norms or punish their way of life.
“This wasn’t about money,” said Dr. Malovicki-Yaffe. “It was about identity. People felt singled out and unfairly blamed. That perception colored their entire view of environmentalism going forward.”
The backlash proved resilient. Even two years after the tax was canceled, the surveys showed that negative attitudes toward climate initiatives remained significantly higher in the Haredi population compared to before the tax’s introduction. The study’s authors argue that this persistence underscores the importance of culturally sensitive policymaking, particularly in societies with sharp internal divisions.
Rather than top-down enforcement, the researchers recommend what they call “moral reframing”—crafting environmental messaging in ways that resonate with the values of the target community. “In the case of the Haredi community,” said Bloy, “connecting environmental protection to the Torah principle of bal tashchit — ‘Thou shalt not destroy’ – could have fostered a more constructive dialogue.” Bal tashchit is a concept rooted in Biblical and rabbinic teachings prohibiting unnecessary destruction or waste.
The implications of the study go far beyond Israel. As governments worldwide seek to implement ambitious climate policies, the authors caution that a one-size-fits-all approach may backfire in polarized or marginalized communities. By integrating cultural and psychological insight into policy design, they argue, governments can avoid alienating the very groups whose cooperation is essential for meaningful environmental change.
سجلت إسرائيل رقماً قياسياً جديداً في صادرات الدفاع في عام 2024، حيث بلغت المبيعات 14.795 مليار دولار، حسبما أعلنته وزارة الدفاع...
بقلم بيساخ بنسون • 4 يونيو 2025
القدس، 4 يونيو 2025 (TPS-IL) – سجلت إسرائيل رقماً قياسياً جديداً في صادرات الدفاع في عام 2024، حيث بلغت المبيعات 14.795 مليار دولار، حسبما أعلنت وزارة الدفاع يوم الأربعاء. ويمثل هذا زيادة بنسبة 13% عن العام السابق، وهي السنة الرابعة على التوالي التي يتم فيها كسر الرقم القياسي.
تجاوزت أكثر من نصف العقود الموقعة في عام 2024 قيمة 100 مليون دولار، وأكثر من نصف الصفقات – 54% – كانت مع دول أوروبية، مما يعكس تحولاً جذرياً في الطلب العالمي على تكنولوجيا الدفاع الإسرائيلية. وعلى الرغم من 607 أيام من الحرب، حافظت شركات الدفاع الإسرائيلية على إنتاج مستمر لكل من جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي والعملاء الدوليين.
وقال وزير الدفاع يوآف غالانت: “في عام صعب ومعقد من الحرب، تحطم إسرائيل رقماً قياسياً في صادرات الدفاع”. “هذا الإنجاز الهائل هو نتيجة مباشرة لنجاحات جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي والصناعات الدفاعية ضد حماس في غزة، وحزب الله في لبنان، والحوثيين في اليمن، والنظام الخميني في إيران، وساحات أخرى نعمل فيها ضد أعداء إسرائيل. العالم يرى القوة الإسرائيلية ويريد أن يكون شريكاً فيها.”
قدم التقرير إلى غالانت مدير عام وزارة الدفاع اللواء (احتياط) عاموس جلعاد ورئيس مديرية التعاون الدولي في مجال الدفاع (ساط)، العميد (احتياط) يائير كوليس.
وقال جلعاد: “الرقم القياسي الجديد في صادرات الدفاع الإسرائيلية، في عام حرب، يعبر أكثر من أي شيء آخر عن تقدير عالمي متزايد لأداء التكنولوجيا الإسرائيلية”. “المزيد من الدول تريد حماية مواطنيها بأسلحة إسرائيلية.”
ارتفع الطلب الدولي على التكنولوجيا العسكرية الإسرائيلية بشكل كبير مع زيادة الدول الأوروبية لميزانياتها الدفاعية استجابة لحرب روسيا في أوكرانيا. جغرافياً، تصدرت أوروبا بنسبة 54% من حجم الصادرات، تليها آسيا والمحيط الهادئ (23%)، ودول اتفاقيات أبراهام (12%)، وأمريكا الشمالية (9%). شكلت دول أمريكا اللاتينية وأفريقيا الـ 2% المتبقية.
هيمنت أنظمة الدفاع الجوي على صادرات الدفاع الإسرائيلية في عام 2024، حيث شكلت 48% من إجمالي المبيعات، ارتفاعاً من 36% في العام السابق.
شهد نظام السهم-3، المصمم لاعتراض الصواريخ الباليستية، نجاحه التشغيلي الأول عندما أسقط صاروخاً باليستياً أطلقه المتمردون الحوثيون المدعومون من إيران في اليمن في نوفمبر 2023. ويعتقد على نطاق واسع أنه أول مرة يتم فيها اعتراض صاروخ في الفضاء الخارجي، لكن المسؤولين الإسرائيليين لم يؤكدوا ذلك.
شهدت أنظمة الأقمار الصناعية والفضاء أيضاً قفزة كبيرة، حيث ارتفعت من 2% فقط في عام 2023 إلى 8% في عام 2024. وشملت الفئات الرائدة الأخرى المركبات والمنصات المدرعة (9%)، والرادارات وأنظمة الطائرات (8%)، والطائرات المأهولة وإلكترونيات الطيران (8%)، وأنظمة الاستخبارات والسيبر (4%).
قال كوليس: “هذه هي السنة الرابعة على التوالي التي نشهد فيها أرقاماً قياسية في صادرات الدفاع الإسرائيلية”. “لقد أظهرت الصناعة الدفاعية الإسرائيلية قدرة فريدة – على توفير استجابة مثلى لاحتياجات جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي خلال الحرب، مع الاستجابة أيضاً للطلب المتزايد في جميع أنحاء العالم.”
وأضاف جلعاد أن استمرار نمو الصادرات أمر حيوي للدفاع الوطني والقوة الاقتصادية على حد سواء. وقال: “يجب علينا توسيع قاعدة الإنتاج الدفاعي الإسرائيلية لضمان قدرة دفاعية مستمرة ودائمة بمرور الوقت وفي الأوقات الصعبة”، “وأيضاً حتى نتمكن من التصدير أكثر.”
مع تضاعف صادرات الدفاع أكثر من الضعف خلال السنوات الخمس الماضية، يقول المسؤولون إنهم يخططون للبناء على هذا الزخم من خلال دخول أسواق جديدة والاستثمار في التقنيات المستقبلية للحفاظ على إسرائيل في طليعة الابتكار الدفاعي العالمي.
Israeli leaders mourned the death of a former leading figure in global economics and Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer on Sunday ...
By Pesach Benson • June 1, 2025
Jerusalem, 1 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israeli leaders mourned the death of a former leading figure in global economics and Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer on Sunday morning. Fischer died at the age of 81 in the U.S. surrounded by family after a prolonged illness.
President Isaac Herzog called him “a great governor of the Bank of Israel,” adding, “He was a world-renowned professional, straightforward, with a heart of gold. He loved peace and pursued peace. A good friend who we will always remember.”
Born in 1943 in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), Fischer showed an early aptitude for science before a family friend steered him toward economics. He earned degrees from the London School of Economics and later completed a PhD at MIT in 1969. He became an American citizen in 1976 and obtained Israeli citizenship in 2005.
Fischer’s career spanned academia, international financial institutions, and central banks. He taught at MIT and served as chief economist at the World Bank and deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund. As an IMF envoy to Israel in the 1980s, he helped craft Israel’s landmark 1985 economic stabilization plan.
In 2005, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed him Governor of the Bank of Israel. Upon accepting the role, he immigrated to Israel. His eight-year tenure was marked by stability and resilience, particularly during the 2008 global financial crisis. The International Institute for Management Development ranked the Bank of Israel first among central banks in 2010. That same year, Euromoney named him “Governor of the Year,” and Global Finance gave him top ratings two years in a row.
Fischer retired from the Bank of Israel in 2013 and was later appointed vice chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, serving from 2014 to 2017. In 2023, the Financial Times dubbed Fischer “the pocket-sized colossus of modern central banking” and “the most quietly influential person in global economics over the past several decades.”
“The people of the Bank of Israel for generations and I bow our heads today to the memory of Prof. Fischer, whose contribution to the Bank of Israel and to the advancement of the Israeli economy was decisive,” said Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Amir Yaron.
Fischer also briefly served on the board of Bank Hapoalim in 2020–2021 before stepping down to spend time with family. He was a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and authored influential economic texts studied worldwide.
His wife, Rhoda Fischer, passed away in 2020. He is survived by three children.
An international ban on Russian banking is having a spillover effect in Israel, where thousands of immigrants from Russia, Ukraine, and ...
By Anna Epshtein • May 21, 2025
Jerusalem, 21 May, 2025 (TPS-IL) — An international ban on Russian banking is having a spillover effect in Israel, where thousands of immigrants from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus are unable to access financial services. Frustrated by what they say is a lack of response from Israeli banking officials, the immigrants have filed a petition with Israel’s High Court of Justice.
“Immigrants from these countries face significant difficulties transferring legitimate savings and salaries to Israel, with half reporting obstacles despite having proper documentation,” Sofia Tupolev, head of the Economic Integration Association, which petitioned the High Court, told The Press Service of Israel.
The petitioners are seeking regulatory reforms after documenting widespread issues, primarily opening accounts and overseas money transfers.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Western countries imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia’s financial system. Major Russian banks were cut off from the SWIFT network. The SWIFT network — short for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication — is a global messaging system used by banks and financial institutions to exchange information about financial transactions.
Banking systems in Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Syria, and Venezuela are also banned or restricted by the network.
In 2022-2024, approximately 80,000-100,000 new immigrants arrived in Israel from Russia and Ukraine according to government figures. In a survey conducted by the association, half of the more than 1,000 respondents said they had been denied banking services. Of these, 70% said their issues remained unresolved or only partially addressed.
The petition specifically targets the Bank of Israel, as the supervisor of the banking system, requesting the court to mandate the establishment of “clear, substantive, and uniform policies” regarding the application of international sanctions by Israeli banks.
The challenges faced by new immigrants are attributed not only to these sanctions but also to what the petition describes as Israeli banks’ inability “to strike a reasonable balance between compliance requirements and the fundamental rights of new Israeli citizens.”
A Bank of Israel spokesperson told TPS-IL that the institution could not comment on a matter that was pending before the High Court. The court postponed a hearing initially scheduled for Thursday.
“The problem lies with the zero-risk attitude of Israeli banks,” MK Oded Forer told TPS-IL. The former chair of the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs, Forer organized a panel discussion on the issue in 2023.
“The banks hear the word ‘Russia’ and refuse to engage with the individual. Many new immigrants are denied the ability to open a bank account, while even more face difficulties transferring money to Israel,” Forer said. “Such attitudes harm both the immigrants and the state because these individuals leave Israel for other destinations where they are welcomed and take their money with them.”
Elina Mangasaryan, an international legal tech expert who immigrated to Israel from Russia in 2022, shared her frustrations.
“As someone familiar with international banking systems, I felt like a ‘shoemaker without shoes,’” Mangasaryan recalled to TPS-IL. “I encountered issues at every step—either they were completely unresolvable or required an unreasonable amount of time and effort to address. When my son started his studies in the U.S., I wanted to send him monthly support, but my bank told me I couldn’t transfer money abroad because the funds originated from Russia.”
She tried different banks, to no avail.
“Every bank cited different reasons,” she told TPS-IL. “It drives you crazy that there are no clear rules, and every clerk seems to make their own decisions.”
Said Forer, “You cannot leave people in the dark. The Bank of Israel should issue clear instructions to banks regarding compliance procedures for immigrants from countries subject to international sanctions. Banks must properly manage their risks and evaluate each case individually.”
According to Mangasaryan, a ruling for the immigrants would also push the Israeli banking system towards what she said was much-needed modernization.
“Israel is losing not just money but also creative professionals,” Tupolev said. “It’s in the best interest of Israeli banks to address this issue professionally.”
According to a report by the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) on cybercrime in Israel.
The recent report published by the Israel National Cyber Directorate on cybercrime in Israel reveals that in 2024, more than 300 ransomware attacks were documented in the country—most likely carried out by cybercriminals. However, the actual number is estimated to be significantly higher, as many incidents likely went unreported.
An analysis of the main sectors targeted by ransomware attacks shows that law firms and accounting offices are the most preferred targets for cybercriminals, followed by dental clinics and businesses in the hotel and hospitality industry. Other sectors reported this year include logistics companies, garages, and manufacturing plants.
The most common types of ransomware malware observed in Israel include: Phobos, STOP/DJVU, and variants based on the LockBit Builder.
“Small and medium-sized businesses continue to be a primary target for cybercriminals due to weak cyber defenses and a lack of regulatory oversight,” explains Sophie Sterik, a threat researcher at the National Cyber Directorate. “A proper and up-to-date backup is not a luxury—it’s a basic condition for business survival. Alongside cybersecurity tools, employee training, and identity and access management, a separate and offline backup is the safest way to recover quickly in the event of an attack. It’s the last—and sometimes only—line of defense.”
The report also states that 6,133 organizations worldwide were affected by ransomware attacks in the past year—a 15% increase compared to the previous year. The number of global infections by infostealer malware reached 39,119,905 in 2024, with stolen data often sold for relatively low prices on the darknet. In Israel, for example, 52,913infostealer infections were identified on various endpoints.
The most common infostealer malware types in 2024 include: RedLine, Generic Stealer, Lumma, Raccoon, and StealC.
Cyber attackers’ activities in the past year have been marked by a desire to achieve maximum impact with minimal effort. The INCD identified several cases in which attackers used previously leaked data and presented it as new data leaks, allowing attack groups to claim credit for attacks they didn’t actually carry out and gain exposure—while damaging the reputation of the supposedly “breached” organizations.
According to the report,
“Law enforcement agencies around the world have shifted their approach to handling cybercriminals—focusing less on catching individual offenders and more on dismantling infrastructure and systems that enable criminal operations, while examining the broader network connections between offenders. The goal is to disrupt operations over the long term, thereby making cybercrime less profitable.”
Looking ahead to 2025, the INCD forecasts include:
On the defense side, greater cooperation between law enforcement and the private sector is expected.
For the full report click here
In a major joint operation by police and the Tax Authority, five suspects were arrested on suspicion of laundering some 800 million shekels ($220 million) for the “Bakri” criminal organization, the Israel Police announced Monday.
Jerusalem, 5 May, 2025 (TPS-IL) — In a major joint operation by police and the Tax Authority, five suspects were arrested on suspicion of laundering some 800 million shekels ($220 million) for the “Bakri” criminal organization, the Israel Police announced Monday.
Sunday’s arrest raids were the culmination of an investigation described as one of the largest of its kind. Police said their probe began after an unusual incident: During a routine police operation in the north, approximately 400,000 shekels ($110,000) in cash were thrown from a window. A suspect affiliated with Bakri was arrested on the spot, leading authorities to open a months-long undercover investigation into the organization’s finances.
The probe revealed an elaborate network of shell companies and five money changers allegedly used to funnel hundreds of millions of shekels through the system.
Police raided locations in Nazareth, Ashkelon, and the northern town of Timrat, seizing six vehicles, bank accounts, and real estate assets worth tens of millions of shekels. Among those arrested was an accountant, whose identity remains under a gag order.
“The Northern District has before its eyes an uncompromising war against criminal organizations that directly harm the public’s personal security,” said Sub-Lieutenant Eyal Harari, Commander of the Northern District’s Central Unit. “As part of that struggle, we worked with the tax authorities to cut off the economic oxygen supply of the Bakri organization, thereby directly harming its functioning.”
The Bakri organization is well known to authorities for its alleged involvement in extortion, protection rackets, shootings, and several murders in recent years. Police emphasized that targeting the group’s financial operations is a key step in undermining its influence.
Two of the suspects had their detention extended until May 12, and two others until May 7–8. The fifth suspect is expected to appear in court later today for a detention hearing.
Meitav (G.S.) Food Industries Limited Partnership announces to its consumers a recall of its product, Lemon-Flavored Sauce for Seasoning and Cooking
Meitav (G.S.) Food Industries Limited Partnership announces to its consumers a recall of its Lemon-Flavored Sauce for Seasoning and Cooking product, according to the following details:
Product name: Lemon-Flavored Sauce for Seasoning and Cooking
Content: 1 liter
Manufacturing date: February 16, 2025
Expiry date: February 2, 2026
Barcode: 7290002781240
The reason for this voluntary recall is a concern about the quality of the product due to an issue during manufacturing, which was discovered after customers reported an unexpected off-taste.
Consumers are requested not to consume the product marked with this expiry date.
Meitav Food Industries is collecting the product from the market in coordination with the ministry’s National Food Services.
We apologize for the issue and invite anyone who purchased this product to contact the consumer hotline for clarification by phone at 08-970070.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met this evening, at Blair House in Washington, with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Represented Jamieson Greer. The meeting was warm, friendly and productive.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met this evening, at Blair House in Washington, with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Represented Jamieson Greer.
The meeting was warm, friendly and productive.
The Prime Minister spoke with them about strengthening economic, security and technological ties, and increasing Hungarian investments in the Israeli economy.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning (Sunday, 6 April 2025), in Budapest, met with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, together with a forum of senior local businesspeople.
The Prime Minister spoke with them about strengthening economic, security and technological ties, and increasing Hungarian investments in the Israeli economy.
The Government meeting held today (Sunday) approved the appointment of Elad Makdasi as the Director General of the Ministry of Communications.
The Government meeting held today (Sunday) approved the appointment of Elad Makdasi as the Director General of the Ministry of Communications. Makdasi (44) has been serving as the acting Director General of the Ministry since November 2024 and previously served as the Senior Deputy Director General and Director of Economic Administration at the Ministry. Before arriving at the Ministry of Communications, Makdasi held several managerial positions at the Competition Authority.
The Minister of Communications, Dr. Shlomo Karai, stated: “I congratulate Elad Makdasi on his appointment as the Director General of the Ministry of Communications. Elad brings with him significant economic experience, a deep understanding of the communications market and the forces operating within it, and a keen vision of the need for a free, open, and competitive market – important assets as we pilot significant reforms in the field of advanced communications infrastructure and in the broadcasting sector. Together, we will continue to work to remove barriers, increase competition, and bolster market forces – for the benefit of citizens, consumers, and the entire economy. I am certain that his contribution will be decisive on the path to making the Ministry of Communications a leading actor in creating an advanced, efficient, and competitive communications market in the State of Israel.”
Elad Makdasi, the Director General of the Ministry of Communications, stated: “I thank the Minister of Communications for the trust he has placed in me and accept the position with a great sense of mission and responsibility. The Ministry of Communications faces significant challenges and I am committed to acting to promote an innovative and competitive communications market for the benefit of the entire general public. I look forward to working in cooperation with all parties in the industry in order to move the communications industry in Israel forward.”
