Jerusalem, 5 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on Monday began following a Monday-to-Friday trading week, aiming to sync with global markets and draw international investors. Friday sessions will close at 2 p.m. before the Sabbath, replacing the former Sunday-to-Thursday schedule.

TASE says the change increases overlap with Wall Street and European markets, giving Israeli investors more opportunity to respond promptly to major global market developments and announcements, while maintaining local observance of the Jewish Sabbath.

As part of a joint operation by investigators from the Serious Crime Unit in the Shfela region, police officers from the Rishon Lezion station, and the General Security Service, Lakachao Damash (30, Rishon Lezion) was arrested during December 2025 on suspicion of committing security offenses under the direction of Iranian elements.

His investigation revealed that in recent months he had been in contact with Iranian intelligence elements and was instructed by them to carry out a variety of tasks for which he received various sums of money.

Damash was arrested after being identified as someone who had photographed near the home of former prime Minister Naftali Bennett. In his interrogation, he admitted that before carrying out the photography, he was asked by his handler to purchase a car camera for the purpose of carrying out the mission, an old mobile phone, and a SIM card, for communication with the handler.

His activation began with simple tasks, such as hiding a cigarette box and taking photographs, and later transferring various photographs to his handlers, which he carried out in his city of residence and in other cities.

According to the assessment, similar to the investigation of Vadim Kuprianov, which was published on 25.12.2025, these are intelligence gathering missions by Iranian elements in order to advance harm to former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

At the end of the investigation, an indictment was filed against Damash

Dr. Alrai-Price joined the ministry during a particularly challenging period with the outbreak of the Corona pandemic, and led the Public Health Division’s activities in dealing with the crisis, including policy formulation and leading the national vaccination campaign.

During her tenure, the division dealt with a series of other significant challenges, including providing a health response to evacuated populations within the framework of the “Swords of Iron” war and dealing with the measles outbreak.

In parallel to emergency activities, long-term systemic initiatives were advanced during her tenure, including the establishment of a health intelligence system, a national vaccine repository, and a digital vaccination record, advancing a reform in food business licensing, and preparing the health system for the impacts of climate change.

Director-General of the ministry of Health, Moshe Bar Siman Tov: “I thank Dr. Sharon Alrai-Price for her many years of professional contribution to public health in Israel and for her work as a senior management member in the Ministry. Her contribution is evident both in dealing with emergencies and in building long-term systemic infrastructures.”

In the coming days, the process for filling the position of Head of the Public Health Division will begin, in accordance with procedures.
 

Job Description

Promoter of Planning and Control, Grades 36-41, Rank 11, Academic Staff, Planning Bureau in Judea and Samaria for:

• Advancing all planning procedures and aspects and promoting plans in the defined geographical area, including detailed plans and comprehensive master plans for local authorities and policy documents.
• Assisting in managing and monitoring the quality of received outputs and providing professional guidance in accordance with work procedures, professional instructions, and planning and construction legislation, including examining their suitability for the Planning and Construction Law, district, national planning, comprehensive master plans, existing planning policy, and a variety of other aspects.
• Performing control and guidance according to professional criteria.
• Promoting and accompanying plans in the district planning Bureau, writing opinions, participating in discussions, and meeting deadlines. Formulating decision proposals and other matters as required at the discretion of the supervisor.
• Promoting, planning, and initiating according to the planning institution’s policy and in accordance with the supervisor’s instructions.
• Monitoring the implementation of tasks and the promotion of plans according to the schedule set by law, and according to work plans.
• Documenting, monitoring, and controlling the process of handling plans, using and updating dedicated computerized systems.
• Representing the supervisor in planning institutions and various forums, including local committees, appeals committees, and legal bodies, all in coordination and under the supervisor’s guidance.
• Performing additional tasks as needed and according to the supervisor’s requirements.

Job Requirements

Education:

Academic education (Bachelor’s/Master’s degree): in Geography / Architecture / Civil Engineering or Urban and Regional Planning.
For architects and engineers – registration in the Engineers and Architects Register.

Experience:

Experience will be counted prior to receiving the degree.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Broad knowledge of the Planning and Construction Law.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Expressive ability in writing and orally.
• Knowledge of the Hebrew language.
• Knowledge of the English language for reading professional literature.
• Familiarity and proficiency in technological information systems.
• Management experience – an advantage.

Scope of Position

Full-time position.

Application Details

Thank you for your interest in applying for the position.
To submit your application, you will be directed 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: 19/01/2026

Here you can find extended information about the submission process and the tender process.

Notes

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 the subject – click here

Against the backdrop of the complex reality during the war, and at a time when more and more Israelis need spaces for rehabilitation and healing, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Israel Land Authority are publishing a new framework that for the first time allows for regulated use of agricultural land for the establishment of therapeutic and rehabilitative farms. The new policy will enable the establishment of agricultural farms that provide occupational support for combatants and those dealing with post-trauma, educational farms for at-risk youth, and frameworks for people with disabilities. Additionally, the framework defines a dedicated track for rescue and rehabilitation farms for abandoned or injured animals. The move removes barriers for non-profit organizations and social entrepreneurs, regulates existing activity, and allows them to operate on agricultural land continuously and without interruption.

Recently, many people across the country: combatants, evacuees, affected families, and civilians exposed to difficult events, are dealing with physical and mental injuries. A large portion of them experience anxiety, depression, post-trauma, or feelings of loneliness. The need for rehabilitation and healing frameworks is greater than ever, and the demand for therapeutic solutions on this issue is only growing. On the other hand, the agricultural space and nature prove themselves time and again as a healing engine. Proximity to the land, manual agricultural work, being among animals and vegetation – all of these contribute to reducing anxiety, strengthening a sense of belonging, and creating a supportive, non-judgmental framework. Now, on the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and in cooperation with the Israel Land Authority, a regulated response to this need will be provided, through the new framework.

The war accelerated this process. Within months, new farms were established across the country, some for combatants, some for reservists, and others for youth who fell into distress due to the events. Now, for the first time, the Ministry will allow any moshav and any kibbutz to regulate such activity on part of its lands. Thus, therapeutic farms will be able to operate with full recognition and in a stable, long-term manner.

Rimona Farms Association operates agricultural education-therapy complexes throughout the Negev. The farm works with youth on the verge of disconnecting from the education system, with combatants and individuals undergoing processes of coping and rehabilitation from post-trauma, and with communities affected by the events of October 7th. At the association’s farms, therapeutic processes, agricultural work, and community support take place, providing a healing space for thousands of people. The farms are currently in the process of regulation, and the new framework will ensure the continuation of their important activity on agricultural lands in a regulated and stable manner for years to come.

Job Description

Promoter of Planning and Control, grades 36-41, rank 11, academic staff, Planning Bureau in Judea and Samaria for:

• Promoting all planning procedures and aspects and advancing plans in the defined geographical area, including detailed plans and comprehensive master plans for local authorities and policy documents.
• Assisting in managing and monitoring the quality of the outputs received and providing professional guidance in accordance with work procedures, professional instructions, and planning and construction legislation, including examining their suitability for the Planning and Construction Law, district, national, and comprehensive master plans, existing planning policy, and various other aspects.
• Performing control and guidance according to professional standards.
• Promoting and accompanying plans in the District Planning Bureau, writing opinions, participating in discussions, and meeting deadlines. Developing decision proposals and other matters as required at the discretion of the supervisor.
• Promoting, planning, and initiating according to the planning institution’s policy and in accordance with the supervisor’s instructions.
• Monitoring the implementation of tasks and the advancement of plans according to the schedule set by law, and according to work plans.
• Documenting, monitoring, and controlling the process of handling plans, using and updating dedicated computerized systems.
• Representing the supervisor in planning institutions and various forums, including local committees, appeal committees, and legal bodies, all in coordination and under the supervisor’s guidance.
• Performing additional tasks as needed and according to the supervisor’s requirements.

Job Requirements

Education:

Academic education (Bachelor’s/Master’s degree): in Geography / Architecture / Civil Engineering or Urban and Regional Planning.
For architects and engineers – registration in the Engineers and Architects Register.

Experience:

Experience will be counted prior to receiving the degree.

Additional Desired Skills:

• Broad knowledge of the Planning and Construction Law.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of the Hebrew language.
• Knowledge of the English language for reading professional literature.
• Familiarity and proficiency in technological information systems.
• Management experience – an advantage.

Scope of Position

Full-time position.

Application Details

Thank you for your interest in applying for the position.
To submit your application, you will be directed 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: 19/01/2026

Here you can find extended information about the submission process and the tender process.

Notes

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 the subject – click here

Job Description

Branch Head (Monitoring and Control), Salary grades 37-40, Rank 11, Central District Planning Bureau, for:

• Performing all actions related to driving and coordinating control and monitoring activities between the supervisor and the units in the management field, to increase managerial effectiveness. Key tasks:
  • Monitoring a variety of horizontal tasks and assignments in Coordination with various parties in the unit.
  • Performing ongoing monitoring and control of the implementation of the supervisor’s decisions, guidelines, and instructions.
  • Performing administrative tasks within the unit, coordinating meetings, and answering phone calls.
  • Consolidating interfaces and coordinating with external and internal parties on matters related to the unit’s activity.
  • Documenting information and monitoring using computerized systems.
  • Convening committees and forums under the unit’s responsibility, as required.
  • Preparing and consolidating presentations, data tables, reports, summaries, discussion files, and additional materials for discussions and meetings on all monitoring and control issues in Coordination with the supervisor, and consolidating recommendations and highlights for necessary improvements and changes in these activities.
  • Responding to inquiries in Coordination with professional parties, and with the supervisor’s approval.
  • Performing additional actions according to the supervisor’s instructions.

Job Requirements

Education:

Academic education*

Experience:

Experience in office and administrative work and/or customer service and/or coordination of control and monitoring activities with parties and stakeholders.
For those with a bachelor’s degree – one year of experience as required above.

Additional Desired Skills:

• Planning and organization ability
• Computer skills and digital orientation
• Ability to work under pressure and heavy workload
• Thoroughness and systematic approach
• Efficiency
• Developed interpersonal and work relations

Scope of Position

Full-time.

Application Details

Thank you for your interest in applying for the position.
To submit your application, you will be directed 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: 19/01/2026

Here you can find extended information on the submission process and the tender process.

Notes

This document is written in gender-neutral language according to Hebrew grammar rules and addresses both women and men.

This position is eligible for a recruitment bonus. For information on this topic – click here

Jerusalem, 5 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli soldiers overnight intercepted an aerial drone smuggling weapons from Egypt, the Israel Defense Forces said on Monday morning.

Forces seized three M-16 rifles and cartridges.

Minister Regev: “Committed to the capital of Israel. By the end of the decade, Jerusalem will be the first city in which it is possible to travel without the need for a private vehicle.”
Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is in the midst of a comprehensive and unprecedented transportation initiative. The 2026 budget presented by the Ministry of Transportation, led by Minister Miri Regev, and approved by the government, allocates unprecedented resources for the development of transportation infrastructure in the city and for better connection of the metropolis to the central region and to the entire country.
This involves a series of mega-projects, including israel railways and Light Rail lines, extensions of existing lines, interchanges, bicycle paths, transportation terminals, and significant upgrades to accessibility and service. These initiatives will shorten travel times, reduce congestion, and provide residents and visitors of the capital with a real alternative to private vehicles.
According to the Ministry’s vision, by the year 2030, Jerusalem will be the first city in Israel where it will be possible to travel easily and comfortably without the need for a private vehicle. The Jerusalem Light Rail network continues to expand rapidly. The network is based on the “15-minute city” concept, connecting neighborhoods, employment centers, educational institutions, and entertainment venues through efficient, accessible, and green transportation infrastructure.
The Red Line, Israel’s first light rail line, is now operating at its full capacity of 22 kilometers, after extensions of the line to the north and south were recently completed. The line serves approximately 260,000 passengers daily with a train frequency of every six minutes during peak hours, and is the backbone of public transportation in the city.
As early as 2026, the Green Line will also open to traffic, connecting Gilo in the south to Mount Scopus in the north, via Malha, the Government Quarter, Ramot Eshkol, and other centers, and will create connectivity between the campuses of the Hebrew University. The line, which is 21 kilometers long and has about 40 new stations, will connect to the Red Line at two central points. The estimated budget is about 14 billion shekels.
The next stage in the network is the Blue Line, which is in advanced stages of work. The line will cross the city from Ramot to Gilo via Golda Meir Boulevard, Har Hotzvim, King George Street, Keren Hayesod, and the Station Complex. Its planned length is about 31 kilometers and it is expected to include 53 stations and serve about 200,000 trips per day. Its opening is planned for 2029 and its budget is estimated at about 15.6 billion shekels.
As part of the 2026 budget, the extension of the eastern branch of the Blue Line from the Talpiot area to Armon Hanatziv was approved, an addition of about 3 kilometers and 5 new stations. This is a significant addition that completes the connectivity between all the light rail lines in the city, which will enable the realization of about 40,000 housing units and extensive urban renewal in the Talpiot and Armon Hanatziv areas.
In addition, other light rail lines are being promoted: the Yellow Line, which will connect the Knesset to the Dung Gate in the Old City and is expected to open in 2029, and the Brown Line, which is planned to serve residents of East Jerusalem from the Atarot route to Tzur Baher and is in the early planning stages.
In the area of metropolitan connection, a budget has been allocated for the completion of planning for the connection of Beit Shemesh to Jerusalem’s mass transit system. Beit Shemesh is one of the fastest-growing cities in Israel, with an annual growth of about 7% and an expected population of about 360,000 residents by 2040. In light of its accelerated development and the need for its efficient connection to the capital, various technologies, including BRT, will be examined to ensure high-capacity and high-speed lines.
Another project being promoted by the Ministry of Transportation through Israel Railways is an underground extension of the Jerusalem fast train line from Yitzhak Navon station directly to the city center, and to the Khan station in the German Colony. The extension, 5.3 kilometers long, will include two new stations at a depth of about 80 meters: Jerusalem Center on Jaffa Road and Jerusalem-Khan, which will be built near the Liberty Bell Garden, the Station Complex, and other tourist sites. The new station will integrate with the Red Line and the Blue Line of the light rail and with the future cable car to the Old City. Upon completion of the works, the frequency of trains between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem will double to 13 trains per hour in each direction, carrying about 20,000 passengers per hour.
The project budget is about 4.75 billion shekels, and the estimated completion is in 2033. In the 2026 budget, about 20 million shekels were also allocated for a significant upgrade of the Yitzhak Navon station, including the construction of a new eastern entrance integrated into the City Gate project, the addition of elevators, the extension of platforms, and the improvement of accessibility and flow at the busy station.
Another project approved for execution in the new budget is the Cable Car to the Western Wall, a continuation of transportation, tourism, and culture. The cable car will connect the Khan station to the Dung Gate, and it is expected to dramatically improve accessibility to the Old City areas for millions of visitors each year. With the completion of the fast train extension, the opening of the Blue and Red Lines, and the operation of the cable car to the Western Wall, the Khan station will become a unique central transportation hub in Israel.
For the first time, it will be possible to reach the center of Jerusalem by public transport from anywhere in the country, and from there continue to the Western Wall with the same ticket and without the need to change stations.
The integrated connection of a fast intercity train, the light rail network, and the cable car will create a natural, seamless, and convenient transfer point for residents, students, tourists, and pilgrims, and will strengthen the capital’s status as a leading and connected city.
Minister of Transportation and Road Safety, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Miri Regev: “Jerusalem is currently at the peak of a historic transportation revolution. The 2026 budget allows us to fulfill the vision of ‘Connecting Israel’ also in the capital, and to provide its residents with an advanced, accessible, and connected transportation system, as befits the eternal capital of the people of Israel, where the cultural, spiritual, and national heart of the country beats. The completion of the light rail network, the extension of the fast train to the Khan station, the cable car to the Western Wall, and other projects we are promoting – all these create a real revolution in the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of passengers.”
Minister Regev added: “By the end of the decade, Jerusalem will be the first city in Israel where all neighborhoods are connected to each other by an advanced mass transit system, and the first city where there will be no need for a private vehicle for daily travel. We will continue to connect all neighborhoods, all activity centers, and all parts of the country, and make traveling by public transport the natural, fastest, and most convenient choice.”
Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion: “Jerusalem is in the midst of one of the largest transportation development drives in Israel, and this is clearly visible on the ground. The work is progressing at a high pace and in full coordination among all parties, out of a genuine commitment to daily change in the lives of the residents. The network we are building will connect Jerusalem from end to end, serve hundreds of thousands of passengers daily, and provide the city’s residents with a real, efficient, and convenient alternative to private vehicles.
This initiative will ensure that Jerusalem becomes the first city in Israel to escape traffic jams, and will be a long-term investment in quality of life, the urban economy, and the future of the capital of Israel.”
Director General of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety, Moshe Ben Zaken: “The huge investments approved for Jerusalem are the result of in-depth professional planning and systematic and coordinated work with the Jerusalem Municipality. This is one of the most advanced transportation systems in the world: a light rail network of tens of kilometers, a fast train to the heart of the city, all with full connectivity. The Khan station will become a unique transportation hub in Israel, where a fast intercity train, light rail, and a cable car to the Western Wall converge. We will continue to promote every project professionally and with determination to meet deadlines, remove obstacles, and ensure the residents of Jerusalem an reliable, efficient, and accessible transportation system.”