Economy

Israel Securities Authority Probes Horizon Ahead of Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Listing
The Israel Securities Authority is investigating Horizon Investment House ahead of its planned Tel Aviv Stock Exchange entry via a merger with Blue Wave, valuing the firm at 40 million NIS.

Israel Shifts Solar Rooftop Tariffs Toward Free-Market Model by 2027
Israel's Public Utility Authority is reforming solar rooftop tariffs, cutting prices for small roofs and moving medium roofs to a competitive market model by 2027.

Gindi Holdings Appoints Jonathan Benjamin as Chief Technology and Innovation Officer
Gindi Holdings appointed Jonathan Benjamin as Chief Technology and Innovation Officer to lead AI integration, digital transformation, and technological strategy across the company's real estate operations.

Carrefour Israel Faces Expanded Class-Action Lawsuit Over Expired Products
A consumer expanded a class-action lawsuit against Carrefour Israel, alleging over 700 expired products were found across dozens of branches, bringing total claims to 240 million shekels.

Ramat Gan Tenders Parking Lot at 95-Story Vertical City Project
Ramat Gan published a tender to operate a 300-space underground public parking lot at the 1.12 billion NIS Vertical City project in the Diamond Exchange district.

Pensioners' Federation Pushes for 25% Average Wage Old-Age Pension Hike
At a Pensioners' Federation conference in Tel Aviv, change-bloc parties pledged to raise old-age pensions to 25% of the average wage. Meanwhile, experts warn of an 810 billion NIS actuarial deficit threatening the National Insurance Institute's future stability.

Shufersal Renews Partnership with PR Veteran Rany Rahav After Two Years
Retail giant Shufersal has renewed its PR contract with veteran strategist Rany Rahav after two and a half years, boosting communications amid expansion into the coffee market.

Markets More Sensitive to Growth Than Inflation, Says IBI Economist
Markets are increasingly sensitive to growth forecasts over inflation, notes IBI chief economist Rafi Gozalan, projecting 1-2 gradual Federal Reserve rate hikes ahead amid tech investments and sticky price trends.

Basketball Association Sued for One Million Shekels Over Alleged Workplace Bullying
Sigal Biton, a former senior official at the Israel Basketball Association, filed a one-million-shekel lawsuit citing severe workplace harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination.

Volkswagen Plans Global Wage Freeze for 660,000 Employees Until 2030
Volkswagen Group is planning a global wage freeze for up to 660,000 employees until 2030 and potential cuts of 100,000 jobs amid declining sales and fierce Chinese competition.

Steel Partners Issues Ultimatum to InMode in Ongoing $814 Million Buyout Battle
Steel Partners issues an 11-day ultimatum to InMode over its $16.75 per share buyout offer, citing stalled negotiations, lack of data room access, and escalating legal disputes between the activist fund and the medical aesthetics company's board.

Swiss Cottage Cheese Imported to Israel Amid Severe Local Shortages
A severe cottage cheese shortage in Israel has prompted Euro Cheese to import non-kosher cottage cheese from Switzerland for ₪8 to ₪9 per cup, bypassing local supply chain failures.

Rami Levy Private Label Offers Up to 28% Savings, Investigation Shows
An i24News investigation highlights significant savings offered by the Rami Levy private label compared to leading brands. Chain owner Rami Levy urges consumers to shop smartly to combat high living costs.

Vitania Acquires Full Ownership of Ness Ziona Project for 307 Million NIS
Vitania is acquiring the remaining 50% stake in its Ness Ziona Science Park project from the Landa family for 307 million NIS, securing full ownership of a major asset fully leased to Elbit Systems.

Rotem Amfert Workers Protest in Jerusalem Over Plant Closure Fears
Rotem Amfert factory workers and local mayors protested in Jerusalem on Monday, demanding the approval of Pool 4 upgrades to prevent the closure of the Negev plant and secure 10,000 jobs.

Supermarket Basket Costs Remain Stable Despite Sharp Price Swings
A C14 survey comparing 114 grocery products shows the total basket cost rose just 0.54% annually, with Rami Levy remaining cheapest and Carrefour priciest.

Tax Authority Chief Suggests Eliminating Cash and 200 NIS Notes to Fight Black Economy
Tax Authority Director Shay Aharonovich warned that upcoming state budgets will require severe measures, suggesting the elimination of cash and the 200 NIS banknote to combat the black economy and generate tens of billions in revenues.

Barzani Group Targets 1 Billion Shekel IPO for Infrastructure Arm
Y.D. Barzani Group plans an IPO for its infrastructure arm, aiming to raise 1 billion shekels at a 2.8-3 billion shekel valuation, backed by surging revenues and a strong order backlog.

Winter Tire Prices in Israel: Choosing Safety on Wet Roads
Winter rains in Israel highlight road safety risks, driving up demand for tire replacements. A market check reveals prices for a set of four tires range from 629 NIS to 1,850 NIS, raising questions about whether high costs guarantee better safety.

Tel Aviv Elite Clash Over Luxury Building Delays and 21 Million Shekel Lawsuit
Prominent Israeli business figures, including former Shufersal CEO Efi Rosen-Hays, have filed for arbitration over a 3-year delay and 21 million shekels in damages at a luxury Tel Aviv boutique building.

Max Stock Wins National Employer Award for Integrating Workers with Disabilities
Max Stock wins the Ilan Gilon Award for national employer excellence, recognizing the integration of 118 workers with disabilities across its branches over five years.

Widower Sues Crowdfunding Firm for 309k Shekels Over Exploitative Campaign
An Israeli widower has filed a 309,000 shekel lawsuit against a crowdfunding company, accusing it of exploiting a fatal family fire to raise donations without authorization and withholding a 40 percent commission.

Boomi Acquires Israeli Startup Elementary Data for $43 Million
American giant Boomi has acquired Israeli startup Elementary Data for $43 million. This marks Boomi's second Israeli acquisition this year, expanding its enterprise data monitoring capabilities.

Tidhar, Harel and Delek Complete 200 Million NIS Acre Land Project
Tidhar, Harel, and Delek completed a 200 million NIS land purification project in Acre spanning 430 dunams, preparing a major industrial and defense hub for 2027 occupancy.

Jerusalem Committee Approves Pinui-Binui Project Near U.S. Embassy Site
The Jerusalem District Committee approved a pinui-binui project by BY Jerusalem Homes Group near the U.S. Embassy site, featuring a 30-story tower and 100 new housing units.

Israel Journalists Union Moves to Oust Chairman Haim Har-Zahav Amid Crisis
The Union of Journalists in Israel initiated proceedings to remove chairman Haim Har-Zahav following severe governance disputes and a deep crisis of trust within the organization.

High Financing Costs Threaten Small Real Estate Developers, Analyst Warns
High financing costs and unsold inventory in Tel Aviv and central regions will likely force small real estate developers into mergers, according to Psagot Sigma analyst Avi Shakuri.

Arava Restaurant Ursula Up for Sale After Eight Years Amid Industry Struggles
After eight years in Tzukim, the Ursula restaurant is up for sale for 350,000 NIS. Owners cite crushing regulations, remote location challenges, and war impacts as reasons to exit.

Emirati Funds Eye Israeli Real Estate Sector Amid Market Shifts
Emirati investment funds are exploring entry into Israel's real estate sector for the first time, targeting both stable firms and those strained by high financing costs.

Wall Street Chip Stocks Drop 12% as Intel and Micron Face Heavy Selling
Wall Street chip stocks face heavy selling, with Intel and Micron dropping 12%. Jim Cramer criticizes the disconnect between strong corporate earnings and falling valuations.

New Consumer Releases Hit Israeli Markets: From Tech Lenses to Retro Elite Snacks
Israel's consumer market sees a wave of new product releases, featuring Shamir and Menicon contact lenses, Wella haircare, Arcos kitchen knives, Delta Home textiles, and a nostalgic Elite snack comeback.

Israel's Electricity Grid Faces Unprecedented Surge and Infrastructure Challenge
A comprehensive strategic report by Noga warns that Israel's electricity consumption must surge up to 2.7 times by 2050, driven by AI data centers, electric vehicles, and extreme climate heatwaves.

OpenAI Arrest Highlights Workplace Recording Laws and Privacy Rules
An OpenAI employee's arrest for covert recording highlights workplace legal boundaries. Employment law experts explain rules on secret recordings, criminal wiretapping, and employer privacy.

Tel Aviv Stocks Open Lower as Elbit Rallies on European Defense Deal
The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange opened lower on Monday, mirroring Wall Street losses, while Elbit Systems surged 3.1% on a $235 million European defense contract. Meanwhile, Wall Street futures rebounded as oil prices fell.

Durad Power Plant Faces Court Battle Amid Stalled 3 Billion Shekel Expansion
Adaltak O&M petitioned the Tel Aviv District Court to appoint an arbitrator in a dispute over maintenance contracts for the stalled 3 billion shekel Durad power plant expansion, amid regulatory hurdles and shareholder infighting.

Ministry of Communications Eases Import Rules for Home Appliances
Ministry of Communications expands import exemptions for home appliances with wireless components, cutting bureaucracy and speeding up customs clearance for importers.

November Shopping Peak: How Israelis Score Deep Discounts and Top Deals
November shopping peaks in Israel with Black Friday, ShoppingIL, and Cyber Monday, as consumers hunt for electronics, fashion, and home appliances using smart TikTok coupon strategies.

Former Calcalist Editor Launches Employer Reputation Firm ekoh with Orenstein Choshen
Former Calcalist editor Maayan Manela partners with PR firm Orenstein Choshen to launch ekoh, a new venture specializing in employer reputation management and strategic HR communications.

Baran Enters Desalination Sector with 53.6 Million Shekel Ashkelon Plant Stake
Baran acquires a 40% stake in Ashkelon desalination plant operator Adom from Veridis for 53.6 million shekels in a deal valuing the company at 134 million shekels.

Competition Lowers Prices in Israel's Iconic Cookie Market
Competition in Israel's middle-eastern cookie market drives a 14% drop in average prices, as Achva challenges longtime dominant brand Abadi with lower-priced alternatives.