Finance Ministry

Government to arrange unpaid leave for parents with kids under 14 as schools remain remote

The move has sparked outrage from parents across the country and opposition lawmakers as schools throughout the country have continued to operate in a remote-learning format.

An illustrative image of a supportive mother talking to her child.
Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market bustles as the war in Iran rages, March 5, 2026

Hitting hard: How the Iran war is decimating Israel's small businesses

Israeli shekel

Finance Ministry warns of NIS 9.5b. weekly loss, urges Home Front Command to ease restrictions

 New Israeli Shekel banknotes are seen in this picture illustration taken November 9, 2021

Government approves grants for residents whose homes were damaged in Iranian missile strikes


Netanyahu's 'Sparta' metaphor obscures Israel's wartime economic reality - analysis

Even with boycotts, sanctions, and embargoes making life harder, Israel will continue trading, innovating, and exporting, at the same time as it develops greater self-reliance. 

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at Newsmax event in Jerusalem, on August 13, 2025.

Smotrich leads economic-diplomatic delegation to India

During the visit, the delegation is expected to advance a series of economic cooperation agreements between Israel and India, paving the way to deepen bilateral ties and expand mutual investments.

Bezalel Smotrich attends a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, August 6, 2025

Finance, Defense ministries to establish c'mtee to expand resources for wounded IDF soldiers

A new public committee, led by senior medical experts, will oversee an expanded national response for wounded IDF soldiers, with a focus on psychological care and integration.

 "We manage to save severely wounded people who previously would not have survived." Airborne evacuation of wounded from Gaza

The state of the Israeli economy - opinion

One major difficulty when evaluating Israel’s current economic situation is the lack of concrete data about the government’s operational plans regarding the war in Gaza.

FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich addresses a news conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem earlier this month. That Smotrich is not an economist, and is quite ignorant of current economic theory and practice, is no secret, says the writer.

Gov't approves proposal for mass increase in budget to Defense Ministry

The decision came with major opposition from ministers who were strongly against the government’s move. 

Education minister Yoav Kisch attends Education, Culture, and Sports Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on May 12, 2025.

Finance Minister Smotrich rejects compensating Israelis stranded outside Israel during Iran war

Finance Committee opposed the decision and called on Netanyahu to readdress the issue.

  Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a Plenum session of the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, also attended by Argentine President Javier Milei (not pictured), in Jerusalem, June 11, 2025.

IDF backtracks after widespread texts for reservists to reimburse gov't vacation vouchers

The military’s retraction letter followed reports of text messages sent nationwide on Tuesday, informing reservists using government vouchers to return the money.

IDF soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip, August 2, 2025.

From Tel Aviv to Haifa in 30 minutes: Israel Railways to launch high-speed line by 2029

According to the Transportation Ministry, trains on the new line will be capable of speeds up to 250 kilometers per hour.

View of the Israel Railways train near the southern Israeli city of Sderot, July 21, 2025.

Israel to boost defense spending by NIS 42 b. in light of multi-front wars

The Director-General of the ministry, Maj.-Gen. Amir Baram said that this move would allow the ministry to replenish consumed stocks of weapons and ammunition. 

 An Israeli APC manoeuvres next to other military vehicles on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, July 16, 2025.

Gov't launches project to rebuild homes destroyed by Iranian missiles

The project will consolidate costs for home renovations across an apartment complex, aiming to reduce the overall cost to residents and the state.

 A Tel Aviv Apartment destroyed by an Iranian missile, June 16, 2025.