Articles by January, 2026

The State Commission of Inquiry into the Submarine Affair, headed by former Supreme Court President Asher Grunis, published its interim findings on Sunday, identifying deep systemic deficiencies in Israel’s defense procurement and security decision-making processes

The Knesset approved the 2026 state budget on its first reading late Wednesday night, with 62 lawmakers voting in favor and 55 against. Shas and Degel Hatorah supported the proposal, while Agudat Yisrael opposed it. Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri was absent from the vote

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday night that Israeli soldiers were killed during the war because the Israel Defense Forces lacked sufficient ammunition, blaming the shortage on restrictions imposed by the Biden administration

Apple confirmed on Thursday that it has acquired Israeli artificial intelligence startup q.ai, in a transaction estimated at approximately $1.5 billion. The purchase price was not officially disclosed

The government’s economic policy had produced “great” results. Still, new data published by the National Insurance Institute (NII) paints a more troubling picture. Poverty in Israel rose in 2024, particularly among children, and preliminary estimates indicate a further deterioration in 2025. Inequality also increased for the first time in four years

South Africa on Friday declared the Israeli ambassador to the country, Ariel Seidman, persona non grata, ordering him to leave the country within 72 hours. The South African Foreign Ministry accused Seidman of “unacceptable violations of diplomatic norms and procedures,” marking a sharp escalation in already strained relations between the two countries

Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening to protest rising crime and violence in Arab society, amid a continuing wave of deadly shootings and murders. Organizers described the rally as one of the largest protests of its kind in recent years, calling attention to what they say is a persistent failure by the state to address the crisis

The United States Department of State approved potential defense sales to Israel worth more than $6.5 billion on Saturday night, the Pentagon announced. The approvals were issued under three separate proposed contracts and represent a significant step toward reinforcing Israel’s military capabilities following lessons drawn from the October 7 Hamas attack and the subsequent “Iron Swords” war

Moody’s Investors Service announced over the weekend that it has revised Israel’s credit rating outlook from “negative” to “stable,” while leaving the sovereign rating unchanged at Baa1. The move reflects a reduced risk of further near-term deterioration rather than renewed confidence in the government’s economic or fiscal policy