Competition Authority

The Competition Authority has set strict conditions for approving the acquisition of CAL by the Union group and Harel. Parties are in negotiations, but disagreements over control and data access threaten the deal's completion.

In recent years, another issue has entered the picture when examining a merger deal: who holds the customer data. A prominent example is the merger between Sugat and the data provider StoreNext, which fell through due to concerns that access to the information would harm competition. Tobi Harris, head of the Markets Department at the Competition Authority, explains in an interview with Globes why...

In recent months, the Competition Authority has increased proactive inspections against official importers as part of a struggle to reduce harm to parallel imports. The move is based on an amendment to the law that came into effect about three years ago. At this stage, in the absence of data, it is unclear whether the enforcement is actually affecting price reductions.

The Competition Authority intends to declare Carmel Winery a monopoly in the grape juice and Kiddush wine market. The company has agreed to comply with major supplier regulations pending a Supreme Court ruling.

The Public Transport Authority is considering barring Egged from the Hashmonaim cluster tender. The move follows findings that the company exceeds market share and annual mileage caps set by the Competition Authority.

Four of Israel's five largest banks have filed an appeal with the Competition Tribunal, challenging the Competition Authority's decision to designate them as a concentration group. The banks argue that the regulator's intervention contradicts the Bank of Israel's position and could harm customers.

Giant CEOs, retail chain owners, and the most expensive lawyers in Israel — Adv. Yael Shainin has interrogated them all in court. Summarizing five years as the legal advisor to the Competition Authority, she notes that while businesses are becoming more creative, the regulator remains on their trail.

Zweikel, who has served in recent years as Deputy Legal Advisor at the Competition Authority in the civil-administrative field, will replace Adv. Yael Sheinin, who retired this week. Following this appointment, most legal advisory positions in government ministries are now filled.

Following the Competition Authority's request to review correspondence regarding the replacement of Eitan Madmon, the Association of Banks has frozen the search process. The regulator's intervention was revealed yesterday.

The Competition Authority has requested correspondence from bank chairmen regarding their intention to replace Association of Banks CEO Eitan Madmon, as reported by Globes last week.

The Competition Authority is set to approve the sale of credit card company CAL to Union and Harel. The deal, valued at 3.7 billion shekels, will proceed with soft conditions and restrictions on data sharing.