Boston Scientific is set to acquire Israeli medical device company SoniVie for up to $540m. SoniVie has developed an intravascular ultrasound device for treating high blood pressure.

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank achieved record net profit in 2024 and plans to pay a significant dividend on its fourth-quarter profit.

Israel's biggest shopping mall, BIG Fashion Glilot, opens on Thursday. The mall features over 160 flagship stores of international and Israeli brands, as well as a variety of restaurants and dining options.

The proportion of 'ghost' jobs in Israel has increased to 9%-11%, attributed to organizational inefficiency and lack of human resources. This phenomenon is not unique to Israel, as tech giants in the US and Swedish payments giant Klarna have also been found to continue advertising jobs despite hiring freezes.

Light rail fares in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have increased by 3.3% to finance a moderation in public transport fare hikes. Bus fares will also increase by 33.3% and discounts will be provided to designated populations.

A dispute over the number of entrances and exits at stations could delay the construction of Israel's Metro project, the country's biggest-ever national project.

Tech salaries in Israel are declining and job supply is decreasing in the tech industry, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.

Multiple second-hand apartments were recently sold in different cities in Israel, with prices ranging from NIS 1.25 million to NIS 5 million.

President Trump's relocation plan for Gazans is straining relations between Israel and Egypt, with increasing talk of Egypt preparing for war. Experts believe the chances of a military clash are low, but tensions remain.

Isracard shareholders have approved the acquisition of the company by Delek Group, pending regulatory approval.

Tel Aviv-Yafo Local Planning and Building Committee approves plan for Hahashmal neighborhood, including a 30-floor tower, to rejuvenate the area previously occupied by the Israel Electric Corp.

Direct shipping of vehicles to Israeli ports from East Asia via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea is set to resume, pending stability in the region, providing a competitive advantage to importers. However, insurance rates and the resumption of shipping to Eilat port remain uncertain.

Four tenders in Sde Dov, north Tel Aviv, have been successfully marketed with bids of NIS 6.3 billion for almost 4,000 housing units, reflecting prices over 40% lower than in 2022.

The CEOs of Victory Supermarket Chain and Yochananof and Sons have been indicted by the Israel Competition Authority for price fixing in the food industry and violations of the Food Law.

Ticket prices for direct flights between Tel Aviv and New York remain high despite the return of US airlines and the entry of Arkia into the market.

The Ministry of Finance in Israel is publishing a tender for operating the congestion charge in the Tel Aviv metropolitan region. Minister of Transport Miri Regev has dropped her opposition to the project, reportedly in exchange for financing railways to Kiryat Shmona and Eilat.

AI startup SSI, founded by OpenAI founder Ilya Sutskever, is in talks to raise over $1 billion at a valuation of over $30 billion, making it one of the most valuable tech companies. SSI's current financing round continues the trend of large investments in AI.

Intel Israel's fate is uncertain as the company engages in sale talks with TSMC and Broadcom.

Teva CEO Richard Francis responds to the share price fall, expressing optimism about the company's growth potential and highlighting its investment in the business and focus on branded drugs, biosimilars, and generics.

Israel's economy grew by 1% in 2024, exceeding expectations, but with negative GDP per capita growth. Key industries and business sectors suffered significant damage.

The Israel Tax Authority is set to publish a new voluntary disclosure procedure that will include a fast track for reporting cryptocurrency profits and limit the discretion of assessment officials to disclose profits from digital assets.

Meitav predicts that more Israelis will choose renting over buying, leading to potential consequences such as falling apartment prices and increased inflation.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy expresses relief and gratitude for the release of employee Sasha Troufanov, who was held hostage since October 7, 2023.

Israel's biggest shopping center, BIG Fashion Glilot, is set to open, offering 44,000 square meters of commercial space. The complex is expected to pose a real competition to surrounding malls, potentially putting some out of business.

CyberArk acquires Zilla Security for $165 million and reports strong Q4 results, becoming Israel's second most valuable company.

The TASE tumbled after high US inflation data and ongoing uncertainty about the Gaza truce.

In 2024, 50% of housing deals in Israel involved special offers by contractors for apartments not yet built, with small down-payments and the remainder paid on occupancy after construction is completed. The southern region had near record annual sales, with the highest number of new apartment sales in at least 25 years. The real estate market is worsening, with a decline in the number of deals and an increase in the use of financial offers by developers.

Israel successfully raises $5 billion in international bond offering, demonstrating financial stability and investor confidence.

The shekel weakens as uncertainties surrounding the release of hostages and the ceasefire with Hamas persist. Bank Hapoalim predicts the shekel will continue to strengthen in the long term.

Meta (Facebook) is laying off 5% of its employees worldwide, including in Israel, with approximately 40 employees in Israel being dismissed.

Elbit Systems has been awarded a $100 million contract to provide a Joint National Digital Fire Command Center and integrate strategic and tactical firing platforms for a European country.

Investor Sender Cohen is raising $800 million to establish private research labs in Israel called Nevo Labs, focusing on AI, quantum computing, and synthetic biology. The labs aim to attract doctoral students back to Israel and contribute to long-term scientific development.

Recent real estate deals in various cities in Israel, including apartments sold in Petah Tikva, Ashdod, Kiryat Motzkin, Tiberias, Ashkelon, and Ofakim.

Israeli digital payments company Rapyd is in talks to raise $300 million at a company valuation of $3.5 billion, a 60% cut from its peak valuation of $9 billion in 2021, according to sources.

The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu has increased the chances of Israel's 2025 budget being approved, but challenges remain.

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange rises after Trump's meeting with Netanyahu.

The shekel continues to strengthen against the dollar and euro, maintaining its rebound from earlier losses.

AppsFlyer is laying off 7% of its employees in preparation for an IPO and aims to raise $300 million through the IPO this year.

The average monthly wage in Israel reached a record high in December 2024, with a significant increase compared to the previous year.

Bank Hapoalim's chief economic advisor warns of potential negative effects of US tariffs, including a trade war, inflation, and interest rate rises. He suggests that President Trump may back down from the tariffs. The effects on Israel will be indirect, with potential impacts on inflation, interest rates, and global trade.

Tel Aviv Stock Exchange falls after Trump's tariff threats, causing declines on global markets.

Fortissimo will invest $120m in Stratasys for a 14% stake, reflecting a 10.6% premium on the share price.

Israeli startups raised nearly $700 million in January 2025, with UVeye securing the largest financing round of $191 million.

WhatsApp accuses Paragon Solutions of attempting to breach the devices of 90 users, including journalists. Paragon declined to comment. WhatsApp sent a 'cease and desist' warning letter and vows to protect private communication. The users targeted were from various countries, including Europe. Paragon's Graphite software can extract data from encrypted chat apps.

Teva's share price falls after guidance release, but analysts see investment and debt reduction as positive factors.

Azerbaijan's SOCAR is set to acquire a 10% stake in the Israeli offshore gas field Tamar from businessman Aaron Frenkel, strengthening economic ties between the US, Azerbaijan, and Israel.

Mobileye's Q4 2024 revenue beats forecast, but 2025 guidance disappoints investors.

Gasoline prices in Israel are set to increase on Saturday night due to the rise in the price of oil and a strengthening shekel.

Israeli car cybersecurity company GuardKnox has filed for court protection due to its debt and cash flow crisis. The company has ongoing liabilities of NIS 11 million and has been forced to lay off employees and cut salaries. Despite financial difficulties, GuardKnox has active transactions with Israeli security agencies and the US military.

Israel's Ministry of Defense announced that it had not approved the sale of cyberattack company Paragon Solutions, but it has been revealed that the deal had already been completed. The Ministry of Defense is currently examining the change of ownership. The deal includes a cash payment of $500 million and another $400 million subject to meeting targets.

The Israel Bar Association is under siege as legislation threatens its status and attempts are made to weaken it. Recent legislative processes have limited the IBA's budget and proposed replacing it with a Lawyers Council controlled by the ruling coalition. The IBA is expected to petition the High Court of Justice against the law limiting its budget and is preparing financially for the budget cut.

US data security company Tenable Holdings is acquiring Israeli cybersecurity company Vulcan Cyber for $180 million, marking Tenable's third acquisition in Israel in the past five years.

Israeli tour package group Kavei Hufsha plans to establish a new Israeli airline focusing on short-haul flights to destinations within four to five hours of Israel. The process of establishing the airline is complex and will take at least 18 months.

Mizrahi Tefahot regional financial advisor David Shelly warns on the US economy and recommends that Israeli investors bring funds back home to Israel.

Former Moderna CMO Dr. Tal Zaks is leading Israeli gene editing company Averna Therapeutics in developing groundbreaking drugs for rare genetic diseases.

New US regulations will require Israeli autotech companies to disclose their ties to China as a condition for participating in future supply contracts with Western vehicle manufacturers.

Israeli gaming company Moon Active is laying off between 50 and 100 employees as part of a streamlining process. The company, known for its successful game Coinmaster, has about 2,500 employees worldwide and generates an estimated annual revenue of $2 billion.

Foreign residents bought 1,900 homes in Israel in 2024, a 50% increase from the previous year. Jerusalem is the most popular location for these purchases, primarily driven by religious Jews. The surge in purchases contributed to a record amount of mortgages taken in December 2024.

Minister of Justice Yariv Levin refuses to cooperate with Yitzhak Amit, who was chosen as the permanent president of the Supreme Court. Levin claims the appointment process was flawed and illegal. The dispute has left many judicial vacancies unfilled.

Pearl Cohen is merging with VMM to strengthen its presence on the West Coast of the US and expand its intellectual property services. The merger will bring in experienced attorneys and paralegals, increasing the firm's total number of attorneys and patent agents to 250.

The Israeli Ministry of Education has not hired any teachers on personal contracts despite a program agreed upon with the Teachers Union in 2022. The shortage of teachers in key subjects continues to impact the education system.

Israel Aerospace Industries' Indian partner Bharat Dynamics has won a $340m contract with the Indian Navy, Elbit America has received a $139m order for night vision goggles for the US Army, and Plasan Sasa is collaborating with Hanwha Aerospace on protection kits for howitzers and ammunition resupply vehicles.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange saw a decline this week, with major indices falling. Bank Leumi led trading today, while Navitas, Sapiens, and Alony Hetz were notable advancers.

Hotel company Pies Siam completes its IPO on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, with plans to develop more hotels and sheltered housing schemes.

Energean signs $2 billion gas deal with Dalia Energy and secures $750 million loan from Bank Leumi.

The shekel strengthens against the dollar but weakens today. Bank of America forecasts further strengthening if ceasefire agreements hold and potential interest rate cuts by the Bank of Israel.

Lenovo has acquired Israeli enterprise storage startup Infinidat for over $500 million, marking a revival for the company.

Israeli AI mental healthcare company Eleos Health has raised $60 million in a Series C funding round and is launching a new clinical documentation improvement product called Eleos Compliance.

Bank Leumi EVP Eyal Ben-Haim predicts that the north will rebound in 2025 and become an attractive place for business and quality of life. The bank has been supporting businesses during the recovery process.

J.P. Morgan has been hired to promote the sale of Israel Credit Cards (ICC) - CAL, which is seeking a valuation of NIS 4 billion. Israeli companies, including Menora Mivtachim and El Al Israel Airlines, are expected to show interest in acquiring ICC-CAL.

Israel's Accountant General's Office is considering an overseas debt issue following improved risk premium and bond yields. Economic forecasters believe a rating upgrade may come soon.

Tel Aviv Municipality has unveiled plans for Carlebach Street, including four buildings facing the street and several 30-floor towers. Existing tenants have the option to extend their lease or join the 'Lot Development Operation'.

Israeli online trading platform eToro has filed for a Wall Street IPO in Q2 2025, seeking a $5 billion valuation. The IPO will be led by Goldman Sachs, Jefferies, and UBS. eToro's revenue dropped to $630 million in 2023 from $1.2 billion in 2021.

Lenovo is acquiring Infinidat, an Israeli enterprise storage startup, to establish its Israel development center for data management.

Merav Bahat, CEO of Dazz, advises Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport not to sell to Google, stating that Wiz has the potential to reach a $100 billion valuation. The CEOs discuss the merger of their companies and their vision to make Wiz a leading cybersecurity company. The interview also touches on the role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity and the potential for IPOs in the software and technology sector.

Nvidia is investing over $500 million in a new data center in Israel, which will house one of the country's largest server farms and support the expansion of its research and development activity.

Housing prices in Israel have gained momentum, with most of the increases recorded in the prices of new apartments. The Tel Aviv District saw the highest increase in housing prices, while Haifa and the North recorded the highest annual increases.

Nvidia is investing over $500 million to build a large data center in Israel, showcasing its deepening commitment to the country. The facility will house Blackwell processors with four times the computing power for training AI models compared to Nvidia's supercomputer, 'Israel-1.'

Israel and Hamas have reached a hostage-ceasefire agreement, with Hamas agreeing to Israel's demands regarding the Philadelphi corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border.

Israel's CPI fell in December, while housing prices continued to rise. Inflation for 2024 fell to 3.2%. Price falls were seen in fresh produce and entertainment, while clothing and health prices rose. Home prices increased by 0.6% on average.

Market sources in Israel are optimistic about broader regional moves, including the possibility of renewed talks with Saudi Arabia, which could transform the Middle East.

The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee has approved the reopening of discussions on the plan to change the composition of the Judicial Selection Committee, but opposition MKs boycotted the meeting.

The Israel Tax Authority reports that the Sovereign Wealth Fund collected nearly NIS 1 billion in 2024, compared to about NIS 2 billion in 2023. The fund has accrued NIS 7.5 billion since it began operations two and a half years ago.

Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, believes that US military aid to Israel should end. He proposed flooding Gaza tunnels to neutralize Hamas but faced bureaucratic difficulties. Prince also suggested a humanitarian aid system for Gaza, but the US administration declined the offer. He argues that private security companies could distribute aid in Gaza. Prince is also the founder of Unplugged, an Israeli company that manufactures privacy-focused phones.

Israelis took a record NIS 13.8 billion in mortgages in December 2024, including a record high of NIS 3.2 billion in 'balloon loans' for new homes.

Foreign residents are buying apartments in Tel Aviv's Gat Rimon project at higher prices than along Paris's Champs-Elysees.

Shares in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange fell after buying back stake from hedge fund.

US blockchain giant Chainalysis is acquiring Israeli startup Alterya for $160 million. Alterya specializes in preventing APP fraud and serves major financial institutions. The acquisition allows Chainalysis to provide real-time proactive fraud protection and enhanced fraud detection.

Israel's fiscal deficit falls below 7% for the third consecutive month, ending 2024 at 6.9% of GDP.

El Al's stock price has risen 40% over the past month, despite concerns that it is already too expensive. The delay in the return of foreign airlines to Israel is benefiting El Al, particularly on the profitable US routes where it has a 90% market share. The airline is accumulating cash and considering business opportunities to expand its offerings.

A penthouse in a historical building in Tel Aviv has been sold for NIS 20 million. The buyer is a senior executive of a finance company.

Elbit Systems has won a $60 million contract to supply its Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems to a NATO European country.

Japan's Kaneka Corporation has acquired Israeli medical device company EndoStream Medical Ltd. (ESM), which is developing the Nautilus device for aneurysm treatment. Kaneka plans to collaborate with ESM to develop and manufacture new medical devices.

Element Labs, an Israeli AI-chip startup, is looking to rival chip giants like Broadcom and Marvell by offering an end-to-end hardware system. The company aims to reduce reliance on companies like Nvidia and Intel by developing its own chips and communication systems. Element Labs has taken a stealthy approach to hiring, relying on word of mouth and networking.

El Al increases flights to European cities after suspending Tel Aviv-Moscow flights due to a recent plane crash.

Israel's Ministry of Transport has failed to meet targets for increasing public transport lanes and reducing road accident fatalities, facing challenges from local authorities and inconsistent policies.