$82 Million Budgeted for Massive New Transportation Hub in Central Israel
Israel approves $82 million for the "Pilots" Integrated Transportation Center near Be'erot Yitzhak, featuring 186 electric bus stops and 1,200 parking spaces.




















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Israel approves $82 million for the "Pilots" Integrated Transportation Center near Be'erot Yitzhak, featuring 186 electric bus stops and 1,200 parking spaces.
Jerusalem, 18 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety and Ministry of Finance approved a budget increase of 205 million Shekels s ($65 million) for the establishment of the “Pilots” Integrated Transportation Center (ITC). With the approval of the additional budget, the total cost of the project is over 260 million Shekels ($82 million).
The Pilots’ ITC, implemented through the Cross-Israel Company, will be established near the intersection of the future Highways 40 and 46, in the area of Be’erot Yitzhak, between Yehud Monson and Bnei Atarot, in the center of the country.
The project includes a modern public transportation terminal with 186 electric bus stops and a large-scale “park and ride” parking lot for 1,200 vehicles.
The center will create direct connectivity to the end station of the purple line of the Tel Aviv light rail, and will include the construction of dedicated bridges for vehicles, buses and pedestrians to ensure maximum flow and safety.
Ronel Fischer receives 9-month community service sentence and suspended jail time after pleading guilty to attempted bribery and obstruction of justice.
The Jerusalem District Court today sentenced Ronel Fisher to 9 months of imprisonment to be served through community service, as well as a suspended sentence. Fisher pleaded guilty and was convicted as part of a plea deal for offenses including attempted mediation in bribery, obstruction of justice, and receiving assets obtained through crime.
This is a serious case in which Fisher, who served as a private attorney, acted with additional parties to obstruct police investigations and present a facade of his ability to influence an investigation concerning Alon Hassan in exchange for a bribe.
The prosecution argued that given the severity of the acts and the damage to the law enforcement system, an actual prison sentence should be imposed. The court ruled that the actual imprisonment would be served through community service and also addressed various claims raised during the proceedings.
The prosecution will study the verdict and its reasoning.
Israel's Ministry of Transportation submits the Southern Railway Plan, a 13km project linking the Negev to central Israel via a new double tunnel.
Jerusalem, 15 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Ministry of Transportation and the Cross-Israel Railway Company have officially submitted the Southern Railway (Goral) Plan, marking a key step in connecting the Negev to central Israel.
The 13-kilometer railway, featuring a 4.5-kilometer double tunnel under the Goral Hills, will link the Tel Aviv–Beer-Sheva line to Ashkelon–Beer-Sheva tracks, improving passenger travel, freight transport, and safety by diverting hazardous cargo outside Beer-Sheva. A new accessible station with bus and bicycle facilities will serve the region.
Transportation Minister Miri Regev said the project “strengthens the Negev, encourages development, employment and growth, and provides residents with a quality connection to Israel’s economic centers.”
Israel's Ministry of Transport deposits the Goral Railway plan, a major infrastructure project set to significantly improve connectivity between the South and.
Continuing to Connect the South to the Center of the Country
The Ministry of Transport and Cross Israel Company are advancing another phase of the Southern Railway with the deposit of the Goral Railway plan
Minister Regev: We are moving to another stage in connecting the South to the center and reducing transportation gaps with the actual deposit of the Southern Railway (Goral) plan, one of the most important railway infrastructure projects being advanced today in Israel.
The Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, through the Cross Israel company, is advancing the Southern Railway (Goral) plan, a national project that will strengthen connectivity between the South and the center of the country, significantly improve the public and railway transportation system in the Negev, and serve as a regional and economic growth engine.
The plan, which was approved for deposit by the National Council for Planning and Construction last September, was actually deposited in December. This is a significant milestone in advancing the project, as part of the Ministry of Transport’s policy to accelerate national infrastructure projects, ahead of its submission for government approval.
The Goral Railway will branch off from the Tel Aviv – Be’er Sheva railway in the Goral Junction area (Roads 40 and 406), and will pass near the Shoket South interchange on Road 6. The railway is approximately 13 kilometers long and includes a double tunnel of approximately 4.5 kilometers that will be dug under the Goral hills – an advanced engineering solution, combining environmental preservation with large-scale infrastructure development.
The project is expected to yield a series of significant transportation, economic, and regional benefits. The railway will provide a quality transportation solution for the residents of the area, for employees in the new employment zones, and for personnel at the Intelligence Campus, while shortening travel times to the center of the country and improving accessibility through advanced, fast, and efficient public transportation.
In addition, the Goral Railway will enable the diversion of freight and hazardous material trains out of the city of Be’er Sheva, a move that will contribute to safety, risk reduction, and improved quality of life in the city and its surroundings. The railway will connect to the Ashkelon – Be’er Sheva railway and will significantly improve the transport of goods to Ashdod Port, as part of strengthening the national transportation and logistics system and increasing the efficiency of the railway network inIsrael.
As part of the project, a new and modern passenger station will be built, which will include a bus terminal and parking for approximately 500 vehicles. The station was designed with a concept of maximum accessibility and integration between transportation modes, so that a significant portion of passengers can reach it on foot or by bicycle, as part of the Ministry of Transport’s policy to promote connected and sustainable public transportation.
Minister of Transport and Road Safety Brig. Gen. (Res.) Miri Regev: “The fast lines to Be’er Sheva are a central pillar in the Ministry of Transport’s policy to connect the South to the center of the country and reduce transportation gaps. The actual deposit of the plan is another step towards realizing the vision of advanced, fast, and accessible public transportation, which strengthens the Negev, encourages development, employment, and growth, and provides residents of the South with a quality connection to Israel’s employment and economic centers.”
Director General of the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety Moshe Ben Zaken: “The deposit of the Goral Railway plan reflects the ‘Connecting Israel’ policy led by the Minister of Transport, to promote national infrastructure projects and accelerate their implementation on the ground. The Ministry of Transport is working in cooperation with all professional parties to establish an advanced, safe, and efficient railway network that strengthens public transportation, national logistics, and the economic resilience of the State of Israel.”
CEO of Cross Israel, Dan Shenbach: “The deposit of the Goral Railway plan is another significant step in strengthening connectivity between the South and the center of the country and in developing advanced transportation infrastructure in the Negev. This is a project of national importance, which will strengthen public transportation, contribute to regional development, and improve the quality of life for residents of the South, while creating an efficient connection between the railway network, employment zones, and the main transportation arteries of the State of Israel. Cross Israel will continue to lead complex infrastructure projects for the benefit of Israel’s citizens.”
Israel's PM's Office publishes 2023-2024 report on Ethiopian immigrant integration, detailing achievements in education, employment, and community resilience.
The Staff for the Integration of Ethiopian Immigrants in the Prime Minister’s Office publishes the activity summary report for 2023-2024 – featuring prominent achievements in the government program for the integration of Ethiopian immigrants, leading to the reduction of social and economic gaps and strengthening Community Resilience
The Staff for the Integration of Ethiopian Immigrants in the Administration for Government and Society at the Prime Minister’s Office today publishes the activity summary report of the government program for the integration of Ethiopian immigrants for the years 2023–2024. The report summarizes the activities of the inter-ministerial government program, operating under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s Office and in cooperation with government ministries and local authorities, and presents a comprehensive overview of the program’s implementation, the scope of activities, and progress towards goals in the fields of Education, employment, welfare, Health, and social engagement.
The report presents key achievements recorded in recent years, such as: in the field of Education – where we are witnessing equality in the rate of eligibility for a matriculation certificate among the community’s youth compared to the national average, and in the field of employment – it is found that more than half of the participants in dedicated programs have successfully integrated into the labor market, and their average salary has increased by approximately 47%. This is alongside challenges that still require a response and continued action, such as increasing high-productivity employment and more significant integration into higher education. These and others – served as the basis for extending and deepening the program and updating the policy within the framework of the government decision made last July (No. 3243) for the years 2025–2026. Continued attention to the integration of Ethiopian immigrants is important to the Prime Minister’s Office management and is on its agenda for promoting and realizing this government decision.
The publication of the report expresses a commitment to public transparency, systematic reporting on policy implementation, and strengthening trust with the general public in particular and with the ethiopian immigrant community in particular. The report provides the public with reliable, data-based, and updated information on the government’s activities in this area, reflects decision-making processes and directions of action, and serves as a basis for continued dialogue, learning, and cooperation with the community, local authorities, and civil society organizations.
The Staff for the Integration of Ethiopian Immigrants will continue to work towards promoting optimal, equitable, and sustainable integration of Ethiopian immigrants into Israeli society, while strengthening mechanisms for measurement, control, and public reporting.
Deputy Director General for Government and Society, Liron Henetz:
“The government’s commitment to the optimal integration of Ethiopian immigrants into Israeli society is reflected in a continuous effort over the years, which requires a joint effort between government bodies, local authorities, civil society, and community members. This is a partnership that bears fruit. We see great importance in persevering in the effort until full and equitable integration of Ethiopian immigrants in all areas of life is achieved.”
The full report is attached:
https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/news/ethiopia080126/he/file_ethiopia080126.pdf
Israeli Northern District seeks Senior Planner (Grades 39-40) to supervise local committees, land expropriation, and plan development, ensuring accreditation.
Senior Coordinator (Local Committees Liaison), Salary Grades 39-40, 11 MAHAR, District Planning Bureau – Northern District, for:
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Education:
Academic education (Bachelor’s degree) in Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, or Architecture.
*Details of recognized degrees in Urban and Regional Planning that meet the tender’s educational requirements are listed below in the notes.
Licenses:
For Architects – Registration in the Engineers and Architects Registry.
Experience:
Years of experience for holders of a Master’s degree in Planning and Construction.
3 years of experience for holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Planning and Construction.
*Experience prior to obtaining the degree may be counted if it is relevant to the required experience.
Additional Desired Qualifications:
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Full-time position.
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Thank you for your interest in applying for this position.
To submit your application, you will be redirected to the Civil Service Commission website. In the job listing, scroll left and click the “Submit Application” button.
Last date for submitting applications for the tender: 20/01/2026
Here you can find extended information about the submission process and the tender process.
This document is written in gender-neutral language according to Hebrew language rules and addresses both women and men.
This position is eligible for a recruitment bonus. For information on this topic – click here
Israel-Syria talks resumed in a US-backed month, emphasizing citizen security, regional stability, and advancing economic cooperation for both nations.
After a period of several months, political dialogue between israel and Syria, with American backing and support, has resumed.
The dialogue took place as part of President Trump’s vision to promote peace in the Middle East, during which Israel emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of its citizens and preventing threats on its borders.
Israel reiterated its commitment to promoting regional stability and security, and regarding the need to advance economic cooperation for the benefit of both countries.
It was agreed to continue the dialogue to advance common goals and maintain the security of the Druze minority in Syria.
Police officer indicted for assault causing bodily harm and threats after a road rage incident near Gan Yavne interchange on July 21, 2025, where he attacked a.
According to the indictment filed by Adv. Linor Maimon to the Magistrate Court in Be’er Sheva, on July 21, 2025, the complainant was driving his vehicle on Route 4 near the Gan Yavne interchange. At some point, he noticed that the defendant’s vehicle was blocking the lane. After the defendant refused to clear the way, the complainant overtook him on the shoulder of the road.
In response, the defendant ordered the complainant to stop his vehicle, approached the driver’s window, put his head inside the car, grabbed the complainant by the neck, pressed his head against his forehead, and threatened him, saying: “If my children are not in the car, I will murder you, I will kill you.”
Subsequently, after the complainant commented on the defendant’s behavior, the defendant again blocked the complainant’s vehicle with his own, approached the complainant, choked him, threatened to murder him, and hit him with his fists, and using the complainant’s mobile phone which was in the car. As a result of the incident, the complainant sustained injuries.
The indictment attributes to the defendant offenses of assault causing actual bodily harm and threats. The investigation of the case was managed by the Southern Team in the Police Internal Investigations Department.
Israel and Syria resume crucial diplomatic talks with US backing, prioritizing citizen security and regional stability for mutual benefit.
The Prime Minister’s Office, this evening (Tuesday, 6 January 2026) [translated from Hebrew]:
After a period of several months, the diplomatic dialogue between israel andSyria resumed with American backing and support.
The dialogue took place as part of President Trump’s vision for promoting peace in the Middle East. During the talks, Israel emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of its citizens and preventing threats along its borders.
Israel reiterated its commitment to promoting regional stability and security, as well as the need to advance economic cooperation for the benefit of both countries.
It was agreed that the dialogue will continue in order to advance common goals and to ensure the safety of the Druze minority in Syria.
Jerusalem's transport infrastructure receives a historic $2026 budget boost, aiming to connect all neighborhoods to central Israel via rail, enhancing.
Jerusalem, 5 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is in the midst of what the Ministry of Transportation called a “comprehensive and unprecedented” as well as “historic” public transportation move. The 2026 budget approved by the government, allocates resources to develop the city’s transportation infrastructure and to better connect all neighborhoods of Jerusalem to the central region and throughout the country.
This involves a series of huge projects, including Israel Railways and light rail lines, extending existing lines, interchanges, bicycle paths, transportation terminals, and a significant upgrade of accessibility and service. These moves will shorten travel times, reduce congestion, and provide residents of the capital and visitors with a real alternative to the private car.
According to the ministry’s vision, by 2030, Jerusalem will be the first city in Israel where it is possible to get around easily and comfortably without the need for a private car. The light rail network in Jerusalem continues to expand at a rapid pace. The network is based on the “15-minute city” concept, which connects neighborhoods, employment centers, educational institutions and entertainment venues, through an efficient, accessible and green transportation infrastructure.