Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee on Monday approved for second and third readings a sweeping amendment to the Families of Soldiers Who Died in the Campaign Law, significantly expanding benefits for IDF and security forces orphans, widows and bereaved parents.

The reform raises the age of orphanhood to 30, extends monthly benefits for orphans up to age 40, and provides new grants, personal accompaniment programs, mental health care without age limits, and assistance with education, housing and fertility treatments. The amendment is expected to cost around NIS 500 million ($156.3 million) in its first year.

Jerusalem, 18 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The government of Israel approved a reform to streamline the development of tourism infrastructure with a merger of two government tourism companies that it said will save millions of Shekels. The Old Acre and Nazareth Development Company will be folded into the Government Tourism Company (HTC).

The consolidated company will operate under the Government Tourism Company and will serve as one central government executive arm of the Ministry of Tourism, in accordance with its policy and budget. This will be in the areas of tourism infrastructure development, tourism preservation and maintenance, including heritage sites and urban assets of historical value in Acre and Nazareth.

In addition, it was decided that the Dead Sea Protection Company (DSPC) will cease to engage in tourism infrastructure and will serve as an implementation arm of the Ministry of Finance, while focusing its activities on the necessary protections in the Dead Sea area. Consequently, no new tourism infrastructure development projects will be transferred to it, unless they are integrated into projects required for the protection of the Dead Sea. In addition, an inter-ministerial team will be established to decide on the completion of projects currently being carried out by the company.

Jerusalem, 18 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) said one of its units recently (Sunday evening) identified a suspect in southwestern Lebanon who approached the border fence with the State of Israel.

Since the moment of identification, IDF forces have been continuously monitoring the suspect. In addition, forces have been deployed to the area and a tank and helicopter gunship were used to eliminate the threat.

Activity in the area continues.

The IDF is in continuous contact with the authorities and will update on any developments.

Jerusalem, 18 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A strategic seminar, the first of its kind, was recently held as part of the joint initiative of the Ministry of Diaspora and the Fight against Anti-Semitism and the Maccabi World Union – the aim of which is to strengthen cross-cutting partnerships and join efforts between government agencies and civil society organizations from Israel and around the world in the fight against anti-Semitism and the delegitimization of Israel.

The seminar focused on forming a coordinated and cohesive ecosystem that conducts activity in targeted arenas and on developing joint working mechanisms for coordinated, information-based activity and international influence. The goals of the project were presented during the meeting, including reducing the distribution of antisemitic and incendiary content online, strengthening the resilience of Jewish communities in the Diaspora, and improving monitoring, identification, and response capabilities against delegitimization campaigns.

The seminar was held in response to a call for joint projects in the field of combating anti-Semitism and delegitimization against the State of Israel, initiated by Maccabi World and the Ministry of Diaspora and Combating Anti-Semitism, in which 25 selected projects were approved from dozens submitted from North America, Europe, and Israel. The project connects organizations operating in the field, with the aim of forging partnerships and accelerating effective guerrilla moves in the digital, educational, and academic arenas, non-Jewish communities, and various ethnic groups around the world.

Jerusalem, 18 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Three F-35i fighter jets, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, landed at Nevatim Air Force Base in Israel today, Sunday. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) calls the F-35i the “Adir” (mighty) in Hebrew.

The aircraft will be assigned to the 116th “Southern Lions” Squadron and the 140th “Golden Eagle” Squadron of the Israel Air Force and are emblazoned with the Air Force emblem.

Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, the “Adir” formation has been operating continuously in a variety of defensive and offensive missions in all theaters of war.

“The F-35 is one of a kind,” says the IDF. “Its stealth technology allows our pilots to carry out top-secret missions without tipping off the enemy. Within 20 seconds of takeoff, a team on the ground can see the route data of the jet, letting the pilot fly at his or her best while knowing that they’ve got support on the ground.”

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.

Jerusalem, 18 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today, Sunday, in his office in Jerusalem with the Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, paul atkins.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the meeting discussed the possibility of promoting a mechanism of mutual recognition in securities registration, similar to the Multi-Jurisdictional Disclosure System (MJDS) model used in the US, which allows for regulatory mutual reliance between securities authorities. This move is expected to make it easier for Israeli companies listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange to register for trading in the US as well, while reducing regulatory duplication, streamlining reporting procedures and increasing companies’ accessibility to international capital markets.

“This is significant news for the investing public, who will be able to trade securities traded on the US stock exchange easily and affordably, while gaining exposure to high-quality and valuable companies,” said the PMO. “The parties agreed that joint professional teams of securities authorities will meet to examine the feasibility of promoting the model and the regulatory adjustments required for its implementation between Israel and the US.”

“I’m excited to continue strengthening the partnership between Israel and the United States in supporting free and fair global financial markets,” Atkins recently stated about his visit to Israel.

Jerusalem, 18 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Two tourists, an Irish Citizen in his 50s and an American Man in his 30s are being deported from Israel after they were arrested in recent days in the Judea and Samaria region after attacking an Israeli citizen. Both entered Israel last month on a tourist visa, for a limited time.

TPS-IL reported earlier today, Sunday, that four foreign political activists were arrested for attacking an Israeli shepherd in a grazing area over the weekend, two of whom were released under restrictive conditions.

The American and Irishman were given a hearing before a border control officer on charges of violating the terms of their visas and breaking the law, after which their deportations were ordered.

During the weekend, the police received a report was received of an attack on a shepherd in an approved grazing area adjacent to the village of Al Mughayyir near Ramallah. This led to the arrest of the four.

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.