Jerusalem, 4 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Tourism held a seminar for employers of foreign workers in the hotel sector. The event was attended by approximately 80 representatives from relevant hotels, alongside professionals and partners from various government ministries: the Population and Immigration Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Labor.

The seminar was intended to strengthen the connection between government bodies and the field, deepen professional understanding in the field of foreign workers, and present a coordinated government front that will work for the benefit of both employers and employees.

During the day, an up-to-date picture of the foreign workers sector in hotels was presented, with an emphasis on the challenges that arise from the field and the associated bureaucratic processes. Participants deepened their familiarity with the process of obtaining employment permits, from the submission stages to approval, and also learned about the recruitment mechanisms within the framework of bilateral agreements and their implications for employers. In addition, important legal aspects were discussed, including the prevention of human trafficking and workers’ rights, while becoming familiar with the activities of the Unit for the Commissioner for the Rights of Foreign Workers at the Ministry of Labor.

Jerusalem, 4 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Superintendent avshalom peled assumed the post of jerusalem District commander. In his most recent positions, Peled served as Deputy Commissioner-General and Head of the Training Division, and even as Deputy Commissioner-General for several months.

The Jerusalem District of the israel police is responsible for security and public order in the capital city of Jerusalem and throughout the Jerusalem Mountains, including the city of Beit Shemesh, the settlements and councils of Mevaseret Zion, Abu Gush, Kiryat Yearim, Har Adar, Givat Ze’ev, Givon and Mateh Yehuda. The district is home to over a million residents, Jews, Muslims and Christians, who “live in a unique human fabric.”

“The district faces a complex set of challenges, including: maintaining stability and the delicate balance in the Old City and the holy places for the three religions, dealing with terrorist threats and security incidents, securing the country’s central government institutions, and constantly dealing with the characteristics of a large city, including crime, riots, and many and varied protests,” said the police.

Jerusalem, 4 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — An all-time travel record was set on Israel Railways as approximately 72 million trips were made on Israel’s trains in 2025, an increase of approximately 10% from the previous year in which 65.4 million trips were made.

Tel Aviv Hashalom Station leads the list of active stations, with 17.2 million passengers passing through it during the year. It was followed by Tel Aviv Savidor Center Station with 13.4 million passengers, and Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon with 9.5 million.

During the year, the five days with the highest number of passengers were recorded, three of which were last December. On Sunday, December 21, 2025, an all-time daily travel record was broken with 375,916 passengers, after a previous record of 375,916 passengers was recorded on Thursday, December 18, 2025. 366,253 passengers.

In October, an all-time record was recorded in the average daily trips, with approximately 298,000 passengers per day. In December, an all-time record was recorded in the number of monthly trips, with 7.3 million trips, compared to the previous record recorded in August 2023 and standing at 6.9 million monthly trips.

Minister Regev: “Israel Railways is a cornerstone in the ‘Connecting Israel’ vision for connecting the periphery to the center, reducing travel times, strengthening the economy, and improving quality of life.”
The Ministry of Transport and Israel Railways conclude a record year in demand for travel on Israel Railways. In 2025, 71.8 million journeys were made on Israel Railways – an all-time record, and an increase of approximately 10% compared to 2024, in which 65.4 million journeys were made.
Tel Aviv HaShalom station leads the list of active stations, with 17.2 million passengers passing through it during the year. It was followed by Tel Aviv Savidor Center station with 13.4 million passengers, Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon with 9.5 million, Tel Aviv University Expo with 6 million, Tel Aviv HaHagana with 5.4 million, Herzliya with 4.9 million, ben gurion Airport with 4.7 million, Haifa Hof HaCarmel with 4.4 million, Binyamina with 4 million, and Netanya station, which closes the top ten most in-demand stations with 3.6 million passengers in 2025.
According to the year’s summaries, demand in 2025 was the highest ever. During the year, the five days with the highest number of passengers were recorded, three of which were in the past December. On Sunday, December 21, 2025, an all-time daily travel record was broken with 375,916 passengers, after on Thursday, December 18, 2025, a previous record of 366,253 passengers was recorded.
In October, an all-time record was set for the average daily travel, with approximately 298,000 passengers per day. In December, an all-time record was set for the monthly number of journeys, with 7.3 million journeys, compared to the previous record set in August 2023, which stood at 6.9 million monthly journeys.
The sharp increase in the number of journeys is a direct result of the Ministry of Transport‘s policy led by Minister Regev, which includes unprecedented investment in rail infrastructure, procurement of new carriages, train extensions, acceleration of electrification, and integration of many high-capacity electric trains carrying up to approximately 2,000 passengers. These measures have enabled a significant improvement in service level and response to high demand.
Minister of Transport and Road Safety, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Miri Regev: “The 2025 data is clear proof that when investing in national infrastructure and acting with determination – the public responds with enthusiasm. Israel Railways is a cornerstone in the ‘Connecting Israel’ vision for connecting the periphery to the center, reducing travel times, strengthening the economy, and improving quality of life. The Ministry of Transport continues to lead a revolution in public transportation, with modern trains, advanced infrastructure, and quality service, for the benefit of Israel’s citizens throughout the country.”
Director General of the Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, Moshe Ben Zaken: “The record year at Israel Railways is a direct result of Minister Regev’s policy, and the vision she set for strengthening public transportation and connecting the country through an advanced rail network. The Ministry of Transport is working to implement the Minister’s policy through long-term planning, extensive investments, and professional cooperation with all parties, with the aim of expanding service, improving reliability, and responding to growing demands.”
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Israel Railways, Adv. Moshe Shimoni: “We thank the traveling public for their trust and their choice of Israel Railways and its train service, and we are already preparing for the expected growth in the coming year, with additions and service expansions throughout the country. The welcome increase in travel numbers is a result of the Ministry of Transport’s vision through the company’s board of directors, its management, and its employees for the development of rail infrastructure, advanced train procurement, and the upgrade of all service aspects. I thank all parties for their contribution to the development of rail transportation and the improvement of the quality of life for the country’s residents.”
Acting CEO of Israel Railways, Avi Elmaliach: “I thank the train passengers for expressing their trust and preferring rail transport over alternatives. The growth in rail service is made possible by continuous and dedicated work that leads to an increase in available rail infrastructure, expansion of the train fleet, and the integration of modern electric trains, alongside investments in technology and many service aspects. I thank the Ministry of Transport, government officials, and all partners, and of course, the employees of Israel Railways for their dedicated work.”

Jerusalem, 4 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) reported that Sunday evening it rushed forces to the Ma’ayan Ateret area in north of Jerusalem following a report of a suspected car-ramming terror attack during which an Israeli citizen was lightly injured.

IDF forces are currently carrying out roadblocks, cordoning off Ramallah and Bir Zeit and searching the area for the suspect.

Magen David Adom (MDA) reported that its personnel provided medical treatment to a 13-year-old Israeli boy who was hit by a vehicle, apparently a Palestinian one, in what seems to have been a deliberate ramming attack on a highway in Samaria. The boy was brought to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in mild condition, fully conscious, with a minor injury to his hand.

Also, MDA teams provided medical treatment to a Palestinian who was shot in the upper limb and whose condition is said to be moderate.

Jerusalem, 4 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) reported that Sunday afternoon it attacked a terrorist from the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Jmaijmeh area in southern Lebanon.

No details were provided as to who was attacked, what the results of the attack were or why he was attacked.

Jerusalem, 4 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Police established a new security sub-district within its Southern District – the Rotem (juniper brush) Area – in the Negev it said to “strengthen the security of southern residents.” It will have hundreds of officers in the fields of patrol, investigations, intelligence, anti-terror, and surveillance, with the allocation of all of its resources to combat crime in general and in Arab communities in particular, including arms trafficking and shooting incidents, extortion of protection money, illegal construction, the phenomenon of polygamy that harms social order, and any criminal activity that undermines the security of southern residents.

It includes the Arad, Dimona, Ar’oer, and other cities, and a central regional unit, with the aim of providing a rapid response to the unique threats faced by southern residents.

The Rotem Area began operating during the past week, during which time its forces carried out economic enforcement valued at approximately four million Shekels ($1.25 million) along with the seizure of weapons and ammunition.

Jerusalem, 4 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Earlier today, Sunday, police fighters from the Jerusalem Envelope Border Guard District operated in the village of Al-Ram near Ramallah to arrest a suspect who was documented on video about two weeks ago as he lifted a young girl to the top of the separation barrier wall in Jerusalem, tied her with a rope, and lowered her down to the other side of the wall, posing a real risk to her life.

The suspect, a 29-year-old resident of the area, was arrested on suspicion of smuggling infiltrators through the separation barrier and abusing a helpless person, and was transferred for further investigation at the Jerusalem Envelope Border Guard District Central Unit.

Today, the swearing-in ceremony for the Commander of the Jerusalem District of the Israel Police was held, in the presence of the Minister of National Security, MK itamar ben-gvir, the Inspector General of the Israel Police, Commissioner Danny Levy, the Mayor of Jerusalem, Mr. Moshe Lion, the incoming District Commander, Superintendent Absalom Peled, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, partners from security, emergency, and rescue bodies, heads of local councils, representatives of the National Staff Forum of the Israel Police, officers and police officers of the Jerusalem District, additional guests, and family members. 

The Jerusalem District of the Israel Police is responsible for security and public order in the capital city of Jerusalem and throughout the Jerusalem hills region, including the city of beit shemesh, and the communities and councils of Mevaseret Zion, Abu Ghosh, Kiryat Ye’arim, Har Adar, Givat Ze’ev, Givon, and Mateh Yehuda. Over a million residents, Jews, Muslims, and Christians, live in the district, coexisting in a unique human fabric.

The district faces a complex set of challenges, including: maintaining stability and the delicate balance in the Old City and the holy sites of the three religions, dealing with terror threats and security incidents, securing the state’s central government institutions, and continuously dealing with the characteristics of a large city, various types of crime, public disturbances, and numerous and diverse protests.

All of these require the Jerusalem District to operate with professionalism, determination, and sensitivity, with a deep commitment to the security of residents and the upholding of the rule of law.

The outgoing District Commander, Superintendent Amir Arzani, held a variety of key positions throughout his years of service in the Israel Police, and especially in the Jerusalem District: commander of various stations, head of operations, deputy district commander, and Jerusalem District Commander. At every stage of his career, he demonstrated professionalism, responsibility, and dedication. As one who grew up in the district and carries Jerusalem in his heart, he led the district with confidence and achieved significant accomplishments, combining operational determination with human sensitivity. His commitment to the residents, to the policewomen and policemen, and to the entire Israel Police, has left a strong, professional district ready for future challenges.

The incoming Commander of the Jerusalem District, Superintendent Abshi Peled, said at the ceremony: “The significance of commanding the Jerusalem District requires me and the officers and police officers of the district to maintain sovereignty and governance firmly and uncompromisingly, to strengthen deterrence against criminals, and to increase the security and sense of security of Jerusalem’s residents and those who enter its gates. I am aware of the weight of responsibility placed upon me and am ready to bear it with a sense of faith and mission. The Jerusalem District is strong and ready for any task it will be called upon to perform and will prevail in every arena to which it is summoned.”

 Police Commissioner, Superintendent Danny Levy, said at the ceremony: “Dear Abshi, today you are taking command of the Jerusalem District, and there is no one more worthy and suitable than you. In the Jerusalem District, more than anywhere else, the public’s trust in the police, its professionalism, and its ability to act with determination and responsibility are tested daily.

“The Israel Police is facing a challenging period, fraught with missions and threats, but also with a mission, meaning, and responsibility. I believe and am confident that in your loyal hands, you will continue to lead the district to impressive successes and achievements. Your extensive experience, skills, and abilities will enable you to successfully cope with the many tasks and to utilize the excellent human resources at your disposal. We will continue to stand by your side and work for you, so that you can perform your duties in the best possible way.

“On this occasion, I wish to express my appreciation and thanks to the police officers, combatants, and commanders of the Jerusalem District for their strenuous efforts, determination, dedication, and professionalism. I will not conclude without wishing for the return of our last captive from Hamas captivity, the hero of Israel, Ran Guili.”

The Minister of National Security, MK Itamar Ben-Gvir, said at the ceremony: “Today we are marking the entry of Superintendent Absalom Peled into the role of Commander of the Jerusalem District – one of the most complex, sensitive, and influential positions in the internal security system of the State of Israel. Jerusalem is more than just a district: it is the heart of the nation, a city of history, faith, identity, and emotion.

“Managing this district requires an excellent and professional officer, with command seniority and rich experience in police work, and this is exactly what Superintendent Abshi Peled brings with him from the many roles he has held over the years, along with a clear, value-based, and uncompromising national and Zionist worldview.

“I am confident that he will lead the district with confidence, discretion, and determination, and will continue to strengthen the security of Jerusalem and its residents, and to preserve the sovereignty of the State of Israel in all parts of the city.”

The incoming Commander of the Jerusalem District, Superintendent Absalom Peled (64), is married, has three children, and lives in Moshav Zacharia. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s degree in Jewish Studies. In his recent roles, he served as Deputy Commissioner and Head of the Training Division. Superintendent Peled also served as Acting Commissioner for several months.