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Jerusalem, 18 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Transportation’s National Drone Initiative is advancing by integrating technological experiments for the continuous operation of commercial and public services.

Future drone service models will soon be tested in the fields of healthcare, logistics and municipal services, including the transfer of medical equipment and blood between hospitals, retail deliveries and the transfer of equipment to gas rigs and ships.

The project, operated by the Ayalon Routes Company, in collaboration with the Innovation Authority and government ministries, regulators, local authorities, and technology companies, is now progressing from a combination of flight tests and spot demonstrations to a practical examination of continuous operation of drones for commercial and public use.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, visited the National Fire and Rescue Authority headquarters in Rishon LeZion, in order to express appreciation to the Authority’s efforts during Operation Rising Lion.

The Prime Minister met and spoke with the approximately 150 cadets in the firefighting course and then wth the Authority senior command.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

“We met several weeks ago on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Do you remember? There was a fire. A natural disaster. You lined up there and put out the fire. I told you: ‘Jerusalem is in danger.’ You said: ‘We will take care of it.’ You took care of it. You did so professionally but you told me then, maybe you don’t remember. You told me: ‘Mr. Prime Minister, it is going to be a very hot summer.’ And I told you: ‘I think that you are right.’

We rained down fire there and you put out the fire here. Thank you very much. Indeed, everything that has been said here – it is all true. Every word is true, and etched in stone. Every word is true. You entered the fire. That is what one does in the battlefield – you enter the fire, from Be’er Sheva to Haifa, and in general. We have a firefighting service to be proud of.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir:

“We are here today to say thank you – to the heroic firefighters who daily risk their lives for the people of Israel.

I would also like to say a word to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: You deserve huge credit for the historic effort that you led. I was by your side in the secret discussions that preceded the operation against Iran and I saw from up close, the determination, the brave decision-making and the leadership of the effort that ended the threat which had made its way into all of our hearts over the years. For decades, you warned about the Iranian nuclear program – and today, you are the one who removed the threat. Thank you Mr. Prime Minister!”

National Fire and Rescue Authority Commissioner Eyal Caspi:

“In the national campaign Rising Lion, we again proved that courage alongside humility are ingrained in the firefighting services that we provide to the citizens of the state, including confidence in the rescue forces and mainly the knowledge that there is whom one can rely on in time of need.”

Jerusalem, 20 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics released the data on “National Accounts: Third Estimate for the Third Quarter of 2025.”

Third quarter of 2025 compared to second quarter of 2025 (seasonally adjusted change in annualized terms [ at market prices])

11.1% increase in GDP (2.7% quarterly)

13.2% increase in business GDP (3.1% quarterly)

21.4% increase in private consumption expenditure (5.0% quarterly)

34.5% increase in fixed asset investments (7.7% quarterly)

A 12.2% increase in exports of goods and services excluding start-ups and diamonds (2.9% quarterly)

A 4.5% increase in public consumption spending (1.1% quarterly)

A 12.8% increase in imports excluding defense imports, ships, aircraft and diamonds (3.1% quarterly)

The sharp increase in gross domestic product in the third quarter of 2025 reflects a significant increase in private consumption data, exports of goods and services, and investment in fixed assets after large declines in the second quarter of the year following the “Rising Lion” war.

Third quarter of 2025 compared to third quarter of 2024 (seasonally adjusted change in market prices)

3.0% increase in GDP

3.0% increase in business GDP

3.1% increase in private consumption spending

8.8% increase in fixed asset investments

A 4.2% increase in exports of goods and services excluding start-ups and diamonds

4.0% increase in public consumption spending

A 9.7% increase in imports excluding defense imports, ships, aircraft and diamonds

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to National defense College Trainees: “We are turning Israel into a regional power, and in some aspects, a global power. We need a very strong defense, independent production capacity, and to deepen our relative advantage.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, met with National Defense College trainees, including Brigadier Generals in the IDF and senior officials of the security services.

The Prime Minister reviewed the key decisions made throughout the War of Redemption that led to changing the face of the entire Middle East, and answered their questions.
 

During the visit, the President met with the Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Moshe Bar Siman Tov, Head of the Medical Division at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, Director of the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Ministry, Dr. Erez On, Director of the National Center of Forensic Medicine, Dr. Chen Kugel, Director of the Laboratories Division at the National Center of Forensic Medicine, Dr. Nurit Buvlil, and with physicians and professionals of the Center, who have been working since October 7th as part of the complex national effort to identify casualties, including hostages who were murdered in captivity. And providing professional response in receiving the returning hostages, alongside handling findings related to serious offenses and sensitive criminal investigations.

Subsequently, the President toured the various laboratories where identification and forensic examination procedures were carried out, and heard firsthand the experiences of the professionals who worked continuously for many long months, working intensively, and sometimes under difficult and painful conditions.

The President of the State praised the professionalism and dedication of the Center’s teams and said: “This is a sacred task of utmost importance. Work that is sometimes emotionally challenging, but you, with your professionalism and dedication, bring answers and an unparalleled sense of closure. Michal and I have met with over 1,600 bereaved families, hostages, and missing persons since the beginning of the war, and many of them have passed through your hands. This is work that connects scientific depth, legal responsibility, and human sensitivity, and serves as an anchor of certainty in the most difficult moments.”

Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Moshe Bar Siman Tov: “The visit of the President and his wife Michal to the National Center of Forensic Medicine is of great importance to us, and we thank you for coming here. In this modest building, much professional and significant activity takes place throughout the years, but since October 7th, the professional team of the National Center has faced extremely complex challenges. Exceptional work has been done here with professionalism and deep commitment, while dealing with the most difficult sights imaginable.

This is not only about identifying the victims of the terrible massacre – among the most sensitive and complex processes in the Israeli healthcare system – but also about the precedent-setting committee for assessing the medical condition of hostages and missing persons, headed by Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, along with Prof. Ofer Marin and Dr. Chen Kugel, which was required to make difficult medical decisions and determine death based on photos and videos found, thereby providing certainty to many families. During this period, many findings from the Gaza Strip also arrived at the National Center, and the team performed a series of professional and complex processes to determine causes of death. In this way, doubts were resolved, and families were given certain answers. 

The National Center of Forensic Medicine accompanied both the return of the hostages and the return of the fallen, and their families, with sensitivity and a deep understanding of the significance of closure for families and for the entire country.
The most important professional achievement is that all the fallen of October 7th have been identified, and there are no cases of missing persons whose fate is unknown. For this, great thanks and appreciation are due to the Center’s staff. Together with them, I hope for the swift return of the abducted fallen soldier Ran Gvili.” 

Head of the Medical Division at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Hagar Mizrahi: “The work done at the National Center of Forensic Medicine is sensitive and complex, as it requires making difficult medical decisions that have direct implications for families who are going through the most difficult moments of their lives. The ability to perform such work is made possible by the employees of the Center, who operate with high professionalism and deep human sensitivity, sometimes under complex conditions and under time pressure to provide quick answers that give absolute certainty.

The war brought with it moments that we had not previously encountered in the entire healthcare system and in the National Center of Forensic Medicine. Throughout the war, we were required to make weighty medical and ethical decisions, in encounters with the families of returning hostages and fallen soldiers, and also as part of the committee for assessing the condition of hostages and missing persons, but at all times we ensured that this was done with deep responsibility, professional accuracy, and great sensitivity towards the families we met.” 

Director of the National Center of Forensic Medicine, Dr. Chen Kugel: “Forensic medicine requires an uncompromising pursuit of truth, even when the path to it is complex, painful, and sometimes unbearable. Since October 7th, the team of the National Center of Forensic Medicine has faced unprecedented workload and responsibility, and has operated with high professionalism, scientific integrity, and deep dedication, understanding that every medical determination carries immense significance for families and for the State of Israel as a whole. The role of the professional team at the Center is not limited to performing tests or identification procedures only, but to providing based and reliable answers that enable closure. Even under the most complex conditions, the teams at the Center continued to operate at the highest standards, out of commitment to human dignity, to uncovering the truth, and to doing justice.”

Director of the Laboratories Division at the National Center of Forensic Medicine, Dr. Nurit Buvlil: “After two and a half complex years, we were privileged today to share with the President of the State what we have been through, the difficulties and challenges, and our endless commitment to the role and this place. The President and his wife lent us a listening ear and opened their warm hearts to us, and we truly had a moving and uplifting meeting. These were complex two years in which we experienced both the human evil of the terrorists, but also the warmth, mutual guarantee, and love of the people of Israel.”

Jerusalem, 18 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs approved today (Sunday) the collaborative transportation bill to promote “smart transportation” services (such as Uber) in Israel.

The law is intended to regulate and enable the operation of collaborative transportation services in Israel, a model that is successfully operated in major cities around the world (similar to Uber and Lyft), while creating a balance with the taxi industry and ensuring passenger safety.

Under the law, technological transportation operators will be allowed to offer ride-hailing services based on smart applications, connecting private drivers with passengers. The move is expected to significantly increase the supply of transportation in cities and the periphery, improve service availability during peak hours and on weekends, and lead to lower fares for the general public.

The law includes strict regulation on safety issues, requiring driver screening, appropriate insurance, and monitoring of the condition of vehicles, alongside a compensation mechanism and support for the existing taxi industry to ensure a fair transition to the new era.

Today (Thursday), a conference was held in Beit Shemesh to mark a decade since the establishment of the National Police College, the central body for training police officers, commanders, and officers in all roles within the Israel Police. The conference was held in the presence of the Minister of national security, MK Itamar Ben-Gvir; the Commissioner of Police, Commissioner-General Daniel Levi; Head of the Training Division, Superintendent Hadas Shapira Damoni; Commander of the College, Superintendent General Tzvi Taub; the National Senior Staff of the Israel Police, past commanders of the College, the training staff, and trainees.

Prior to the official opening of the conference, a festive ceremony was held during which the College’s Decade Pin was unveiled and awarded for the first time to the training staff – a symbol of appreciation for a decade of professional, ethical, and operational excellence in training the police officers and commanders of the Israel Police.

Since its establishment in 2015, the National Police College has been a central pillar in building police command and leadership, integrating operational, command, and ethical training with the aim of shaping police officers and commanders who lead the organization in accordance with the values of the rule of law, public service, and the pursuit of excellence.

Minister of National Security, MK Itamar Ben-Gvir: “The police are an integral force in maintaining our national security. We are not ashamed to be proud of our nation, our country, and that the police know how to distinguish between an enemy and a friend.

“Whoever challenges the existence and identity of the state and tries to harm governance and impose fear and terror, will receive an iron fist from the Israel Police. We saw this in Tarabin, and we will see it, with God’s help and with your help – it is growing stronger.

“Everyone knows how much I have fallen in love with this place. The Commissioner and I are investing in budgets, technologies, resources, but first and foremost in people. If you knew how much effort and energy we invest even in a station commander in a small town, you would be surprised, but one who insists that his officers speak of governance and sovereignty cannot make concessions and checks them carefully, to see that they are fit to go out to battle and war for the existence of our state.”

Commissioner of Police, Commissioner-General Daniel Levi: “As Commissioner, I believe that the best must come to training – outstanding commanders, instructors, and professionals in their fields, with rich experience and a true mission to impart knowledge, tools, and values. Investing in the College and its people is, in my opinion, a direct investment in the professionalism of the Israel Police.

“The goal we are aiming for is to shape an organizational culture where learning is an integral part of the daily work of commanders and police officers, and to ensure that training in the Israel Police is not only up-to-date but also groundbreaking.

“We will continue to pray for the return of our captive, hero of Israel, Rani Guili – the police officer who went out first and must return.”

Head of the Training Division, Superintendent Hadas Shapira Damoni: “We are marking a decade for the home, a home designed to unite all the training worlds of the Israel Police under one roof. We have built a space where knowledge meets values, experience meets learning, and authority meets responsibility.

“The walls are just the shell, but the spirit is what counts. And the walls here have long ceased to be silent; they speak in terms of integrity, courage, and protecting the great home of us all – the State of Israel.”

The launch meeting today was attended by employees of the National Guard and Civil Defense Administration, headed by the Head of the Administration – Tzachi Lugasi, as well as employees of the personal security Division and district managers in the Community Security Authority, led by Yair Dornfeld – Head of the Field Division and Assaf Alon – Head of the personal security Division.

Since the establishment of the Administration (August 2025), preliminary meetings have been held to establish contact with the National Community Security Authority, with the understanding that the Authority and the Administration have joint work interfaces that require close cooperation within the organization.
The National Community Security Authority serves as the prevention arm of the Ministry and works to improve community security, protection, and the sense of personal security in the public space. It promotes mapping of audiences, arenas, and phenomena to identify needs in order to enable maximum adaptation to the needs of each locality. It also provides technological solutions in the public space and operates the observation centers.
It is particularly important to promote cooperation between the Authority and the Administration at this time. The Authority has an impressive presence in every locality, with locality managers and prevention staff – a professional and experienced force that enables mutual and beneficial cooperation for both bodies in the Ministry of National Security. The connection between the bodies will advance the goals of the Administration and the Authority and strengthen community security, protection, and the sense of personal security of the residents.
At the beginning of the meeting, Tzachi Lugasi, Head of the Administration, stated: “The Ministry of National Security is an execution-oriented ministry, and we are required to build a Civil Defense system that will provide an operational response in the field.” According to him, “This is why we have gathered here – to work together with the Authority’s managers, at headquarters and in the localities, who live the field and know the challenges up close.” “Ultimately, the main beneficiaries of this move will be the citizens of the State of Israel,” emphasized Tzachi, Head of the Administration.

Following these remarks, the Head of the Administration presented the main points of its activity in three core areas: the National Guard, security components in local authorities, and emergency response teams. Among the Administration’s key tasks are building a holistic operational concept for the National Guard and emergency response teams, and launching a framework tender that will enable the rapid implementation of security components without the need for an independent tender by the local authority. Alongside this, the Administration creates partnerships between government ministries and relevant bodies, deals with volunteer retention, formulates security needs, and provides solutions for local authorities.
“In recent years, we have received painful reminders of the necessity of civil defense forces and security components in localities – means intended to delay the entry of hostile elements,” explains Tzachi Lugasi, Head of the National Guard and Civil Defense Administration, “Each government ministry is allocated a budget to fund security components within its area of responsibility – the names are different, but the goal is one.” Security components include expensive, technological, and engineering security components.

Assaf Alon, Head of the Personal Security Division, emphasized the ongoing and daily familiarity of the division’s employees with the technologies and cameras in the locality. “The goal is to ensure that the process is carried out efficiently and professionally, and that the professionals from the National Authority are integrated into the process,” added the Head of the Division. It should be noted that the local authority sees the locality manager as the representative of the Ministry of National Security in the locality, and his status can be utilized as a central factor in creating a comprehensive and accurate picture of what is happening in the locality.

Yair Dornfeld, who serves as Deputy Head of the Authority and Head of the Field Division at the National Authority, also addressed the move: “This is a joint strategic move, in which it is essential to work together.” According to him, the goal is to create a ministerial situational picture in each locality, while utilizing the active presence of the National Authority in almost all authorities throughout the country. Yair thanked them for the opportunity and added that he would submit a draft work procedure that would ensure a professional and efficient process.

After the participants’ remarks, Tzachi thanked the Authority’s employees for their willingness to be part of this initiative. “This move is critical to fulfilling the mission,” he said. “We will use your knowledge, your experience, and your deep familiarity with the officials in the localities, and you will be able to utilize our resources. Together we will create a new reality: we will reach the localities, synchronized and coordinated, and each of the bodies – including the Ministry and the local authority – will benefit from the cooperation.
In conclusion, Tzachi emphasized that orderly cooperation at the level of security components and volunteer retention constitutes a significant force multiplier. According to him, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Combined action will enable broad and optimal realization of security capabilities, in a systemic and informed manner.”
 

The Ministry of religious services, in cooperation with the Survey of Israel, is launching a unified national mapping project for eruvin. A Zoom training session will be held with professionals from the Survey of Israel.

Each council will receive editing permissions for the eruv lines within its jurisdiction.

Entities maintaining eruvin are requested to prepare a list of users and editors in their respective fields and to register on the government mapping website (govmap).

http://www.govmap.gov.il/register

After registration, please update the Religious Structures Department with the contact person’s details, the chosen username, and the email used for registration. Do not forget to specify the name of the entity.

The update should be sent to the department’s email address.

MivneDat@dat.gov.il