Jerusalem, 6 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli authorities are probing several textile firms suspected of exploiting the Israel-US-Egypt QIZ (Qualified Industrial Zone) agreement to smuggle goods duty-free.

The companies — AEDKT Tel Aviv, IL Fabrics, CNR Textiles, and MLA Zippers — allegedly exported fabrics and threads to Egypt without the required processing in Israel, submitting false declarations, the Israel Tax Authority said.

The alleged offenses, estimated at NIS 27 million ($8.5 million), may violate multiple laws, including customs, VAT, and money laundering, while harming domestic and international competition.

Owners and a manager were detained for questioning, factories searched, and materials seized.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, MK Avi Dichter: “Protein from the sea or from water is a significant component of food security in the Red Sea, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea and in fish ponds across the country. To grow a lot of fish, which provide a lot of protein, you don’t need a lot of water, but mainly a lot of R&D and entrepreneurship, and the use of AI tools to turn a pond into a reservoir, a reservoir into a sea, and a sea into an ocean. Together with my colleagues in the government, Minister of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience MK Yitzhak Wasserlauf and Minister of Regional Cooperation Mr. Dudi Amsalem, we initiated the conference in Eilat, which is attended by people from all over the world, including ministers and professional delegations, to cooperate and share knowledge in building a better future for food security in Israel and around the world. There is no doubt that the potential of water is in the sky, the knowledge that Israel has and the experience in the world will connect at the conference in Eilat. Good luck to all.”

 Minister of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience, MK Yitzhak Wasserlauf: “The Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience is leading a multi-year government program for the development of Eilat and the Eilot region as a national and international hub for food production from the sea and the desert. In the Eilat-Eilot region, advanced research is being conducted in the fields of marine agriculture and biotechnology, renewable energy, and marine research. The Sea the Future 2026 conference will present the cooperation between all active parties in the Negev, as part of strengthening it, and with the aim of strengthening farmers, researchers, authorities, and serving as a global attraction, thanks to the potential that may bring aquaculture to a central part of future food security.”

In a world where the effects of climate change are worsening, and the population continues to grow, food production systems must also adapt to changing needs. The local aquaculture industry is a small industry that has been gaining momentum in recent years, thanks to its immense potential as a sustainable, nutritious, and efficient source of protein, which can become a central part of future food security. This month (January), the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience will hold the international conference Sea the Future 2026 in Eilat. The conference will focus on research, innovation, technology, and development in the field of food security from aquaculture.

The conference, which is held as part of a multi-year government decision to develop the city of Eilat and the Eilot region, is intended to serve as a professional platform for meetings between researchers, farmers, professionals, industry representatives, and entrepreneurs from Israel and around the world. This way, Israeli agriculture can be promoted, national and international collaborations can be created, and the link between research, development, and application in the field of aquaculture can be strengthened. International delegations from countries interested in technological and research cooperation will attend the conference, including: the Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries of India, Azerbaijan, Albania, and Ghana, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Georgia, and professional delegations from Romania and Morocco.

During the three days of the conference, a wide range of Israeli startup technologies in the field, groundbreaking research, and professional panels of industry leaders will be presented. Among the topics: marine agriculture, advanced marine technologies, innovation and policy in the field of seafood, development of sustainable marine food systems, and research and technological cooperation. In addition, the national food security program, formulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security after a work process involving government ministries, associations, and organizations, and recently including the incorporation of public comments, will be presented.
The Eilat-Eilot region, characterized by a unique combination of sea, desert, and extreme climate conditions, is a natural environment for the development of applied and innovative research. Advanced research is conducted in this region in the fields of marine agriculture, marine biotechnology, renewable energy, and marine sciences, alongside research in oceanography (sea and ocean sciences) and limnology (lake and freshwater sciences). This activity contributes to the development of innovative solutions to address environmental, economic, and social challenges.

Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Oren Lavi: “In an era where climate change and demographic growth pose unprecedented challenges to global food systems, we must look ahead and act today to promote aquaculture as a national infrastructure for a more secure future. In Israel, between the sea and the desert, a global model for food security, innovation, and research is emerging. At the Sea the Future 2026 conference, we will present the collaborations between government, research, and industry, and demonstrate how groundbreaking ideas become reality.”

Director General of the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience, Yochai Mali: “We are pleased to be partners with the Eilat Municipality and the Eilot Regional Council, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, in realizing the natural assets of the region – the sea, the desert, and the climate conditions – for the benefit of the farmers, researchers, and residents of the region. The international conference is another step that assists in the development of applied and innovative research that will lead to advanced solutions that will help address environmental, economic, and social challenges.”

The conference will be broadcast live on the Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube pages of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience.

For more details about the conference, visit now: www.gov.il/he/departments/topics/sea_the_future_2026

The Tax Authority, through the Jerusalem Customs and VAT investigations, has been conducting a covert investigation for some time into a complex and extensive affair, at the center of which are several Israeli companies in the textile field: AEDKT Tel Aviv, IL Fabrics, CNR Textiles, and MLA Zippers.

The companies are listed on the export quota within the QIZ (Qualified Industrial Zone) agreement, which is jointly held by Israel, the United States, and Egypt. This agreement grants duty exemption in the US on goods arriving from Egypt that have undergone a certain processing in Israel, all with the aim of encouraging Israeli-Egyptian relations in return for extensive economic benefits from the US.

According to suspicion, the Israeli companies carried out dozens of smuggling operations of fabrics and threads in exports to Egypt without undergoing any change or processing in Israel as stated in the agreement, all under a false guise and by exploiting the agreement and submitting false export declarations to the tax authorities in Israel. The scope of the offenses is estimated at NIS 27 million.

Due to the actions, there is suspicion of offenses under the Customs Ordinance, the Import and Export Ordinance, the VAT Law, the Prohibition of Money Laundering Law, and the Penal Law. In addition, the offenses may constitute severe damage to competition in the industry in Israel and abroad, and even cast a shadow over Israel’s international relations.

Today, the investigation became public – when the owners of the companies, Avihai Hamiel, and their manager, Meir Kaiserman – were detained for investigation. In addition, extensive searches were conducted at several sites, including the companies’ factories, and a large amount of material was seized. Subsequently, the owner and manager were brought before a Magistrate’s Court judge and released under restrictive conditions. The investigation is ongoing, and many witnesses are expected to be questioned as part of it.  
 

Jerusalem, 6 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel is turning the spotlight on the future of food at the international “Sea the Future 2026” conference in Eilat this month. The three-day event will explore how aquaculture — from 3D-printed fish to AI-powered algae farms and sustainable fish vaccination — can revolutionize global food security. Ministers and experts from India, Romania, Morocco, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Albania, and Ghana are attending to exchange knowledge and forge partnerships.

The conference also showcases the Eilat region’s unique combination of sea, desert, and extreme climate as an emerging global hub for marine innovation and sustainable protein production.

The event is being organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Ministry of the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience.

Jerusalem, 6 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reportedly landed in Somaliland on Tuesday for a historic visit, the first by a senior Israeli official since Israel formally recognized the self-declared state in December. Unconfirmed reports Somaliland media reports say Sa’ar will meet President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi in Hargeisa and visit the strategic Red Sea port of Berbera, opposite Yemen. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has not commented on the reports.

Jerusalem, 6 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Communications has published its third incentive tender aimed at completing nationwide fiber-optic deployment, targeting the country’s remaining remote and underserved areas. The tender covers locations including Jerusalem, Rosh HaAyin, Beit Shemesh, Arad and several smaller communities. The initiative is designed to extend high-speed internet access to households not reached due to limited economic viability.

Nearly 95% of Israeli households already have access to fiber-optic infrastructure. Previous incentive tenders have connected more than 200,000 homes. A bidders’ conference is scheduled for January 26, with comments due by February 9 and final proposals by March 16, 2026.

Jerusalem, 6 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — israeli police uncovered a large-scale cannabis growing operation inside a residential apartment in Petah Tikva during a targeted enforcement operation, authorities said on Tuesday. Detectives discovered approximately 134 kilograms of substances suspected to be cannabis, along with hundreds of seedlings cultivated under laboratory conditions using professional equipment.

The apartment’s owner, a 40-year-old man from Rehovot, was arrested and taken for questioning before being remanded in custody.

Job Description

A candidate is required to fill the position of Manager of Licensing Process Development and Control, for:

• Consolidating all activities in the field of licensing process development, and improving existing licensing processes to create a high-quality and efficient licensing process.
• Assisting in the control and analysis of existing data and/or processes in the field of licensing and building design across all interfaces, identifying existing gaps and presenting them.
• Creating collaborations with various stakeholders (such as committee Engineers, information providers, etc.) both internal and external, for the purpose of developing and improving effective licensing processes.
• Writing position papers, work procedures, guidelines, and manuals for presenting and changing licensing processes.
• Making licensing information accessible to all involved in the process through various media.
• Handling public inquiries regarding licensing procedures.
• Performing additional tasks according to the supervisor’s requirements.

Job Requirements

Education:

Practical Engineer: Architecture or Building, alternatively,
Academic Education (Bachelor’s Degree): in Geography / Architecture / Civil Engineering
or Urban and Regional Planning.
*Details of recognized Master’s degrees in Urban and Regional Planning that meet the
tender’s educational requirements are listed below in the notes.
For practical engineers – registration in the Register of Practical Engineers and Technicians.
For architects and engineers – registration in the Register of Engineers and Architects.

Experience:

For holders of a Master’s degree – 3 years of experience in the field of building licensing / process management in the field of
building licensing and/or project management in the field of building licensing.

For holders of a Bachelor’s degree – 4 years of experience in the field of building licensing / process management in the field of
building licensing and/or project management in the field of building licensing.
** Experience will be counted whether acquired before or after receiving the degree/certificate.

Additional Skills and Qualifications:

• Broad knowledge of the Planning and Building Law, particularly in the areas of licensing systems.
• Experience in promoting and driving complex processes.
• Experience in data analysis.
• Public speaking ability.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• High service awareness.
• Familiarity with work processes in the public sector.

Scope of Position

The position is temporary for a period of three months with the possibility of extension.

Application Details

Resumes should be sent to the email hanitmo@iplan.gov.il to the attention of Hanit Moyal by 20/1/2026.
Only suitable applications will be answered.

Notes

• In accordance with Section 39 of the Law of Certified Practical Engineers and Technicians, 5773-2012, and in coordination between the Civil Service Commission and the representative organization of the Association of Practical Engineers and Technicians, practical engineers and certified technicians registered in the Register of Practical Engineers and Technicians may also apply for positions in the M.H.R. grade for which a general academic education requirement is specified.
  In this case, practical engineers require 4 years of experience and technicians require 5 years of experience in the fields detailed above:
  A holder of a certificate of practical engineer or certified technician who is selected for the position will be ranked in the administrative grade.
  An employee from within the civil service who has already been ranked in the practical engineer or technician grade may retain their professional ranking.
• For practical engineers/technicians – registration in the Register of Practical Engineers and Technicians.

As part of enforcement activity by the customs investigators of Ben Gurion Airport (Natbag) in cooperation with the special unit 747 of the Natbag District Police, within the framework of the uncompromising fight against the drug scourge, customs investigators succeeded in uncovering, as part of intensified enforcement activity on shipments imported via air courier companies, two shipments that were imported from China and were intended for a “client” in the center of the country.

In this context, police detectives arranged a meeting with the orderer of the shipments in the center of the country, and when he arrived to collect the shipment, they arrested the suspect – a resident of Yavne in his 20s.

All findings were transferred for further evidence extraction in the forensic identification laboratories of the israel police, alongside the arrest of the suspect for investigation at the Natbag District offices, and according to its findings, he will be brought this morning for a hearing at the Rishon LeZion Magistrate’s Court.