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.

Jerusalem, 18 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Israeli government approved a decision that the government said, “constitutes a significant and critical step in the national plan to combat crime, violence, and illegal weapons in the Arab sector.”

The decision was made after joint headquarters work by the professional teams from the Prime Minister’s Office, Minister of Social Equality May Golan, Minister of national security Itamar Ben-Gvir, and in cooperation with the Israel Police and the Shin Bet.

As part of the decision, a dedicated budget allocation of a total of 220.7 million Shekels ($68 million) was approved, from Government Resolution 550, which will be directed directly to strengthening the enforcement capabilities, intelligence, and operational activities of the Shin Bet, the Israel Police, and the Shin Bet, with the aim of restoring personal security to Israeli citizens, improving their quality of life, and strengthening national security.

Jerusalem, 18 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) reported that Israeli security forces are continuing to operate in Jenin, where Border Police undercover units of the Judea and Samaria region and IDF Paratrooper Reconnaissance Unit fighters arrested two terrorists affiliated with the Islamic Jihad terror organization, who had previously taken part in terror activities in the area.

This was part of what the IDF described as an “extensive operation” that began Wednesday night.

In a complementary activity, forces conducted warning conversations and interrogations of suspects in terror activity, arrested several suspects, and, in addition, located and confiscated combat means.

Jerusalem, 18 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics released the estimates of economic activity in businesses in evacuated communities (northern towns and areas near Gaza) where residents left due to the war )are based on VAT revenue data combined with credit card purchase data, which show a return to pre-war levels.

Estimates are presented in current prices and without seasonal adjustment.

The comparison is for the period January-September 2023 (pre-war) compared to the following quarters.

Analysis of economic activity in Kiryat Shmona:

In the third quarter of 2025, the level of economic activity in Kiryat Shmona returned for the first time to the level it was on the eve of the war. This is evident from both an analysis of the credit card purchase volume index and an analysis of total VAT revenue data for businesses located in Kiryat Shmona.

Analysis of economic activity in selected localities in the north and south:

Economic activity in Sderot experienced a sharp recovery in mid-2024. In contrast, during the same period in Kiryat Shmona, the credit purchases index still remained at a low level of 30% of pre-war activity, and the recovery only began in early 2025.

Although the ceasefire in the north went into effect at the end of November 2024, the credit card purchase index in Kiryat Shmona and Shlomi remained low even in the first half of 2025.

Unlike Kiryat Shmona and Shlomi, where the credit purchases index in the third quarter of 2025 is higher than its pre-war level, the index for businesses in Metula is 70% lower than its pre-war level.

Jerusalem, 18 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reported that the three-month period of September-November 2025 saw a continued upward trend in the number of job vacancies (open positions) – 151,354 in november compared to 150,974 in October.

There was a slight increase in the vacancy rate (4.59 in November compared to 4.58 in October), the highest vacancy rate is since October 2022.

The Job Vacancy Survey is the main source of information on the number of job vacancies in Israel, and has been conducted regularly by the Central Bureau of Statistics since 2009. The survey population includes businesses with five or more employee positions.

Jerusalem, 18 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said that in order to make the Negev “flourish and strengthen Israel’s status as a global leader in innovation,” an international hydrogen and innovation valley will be established in the eastern Negev

Hydrogen is a green energy source considered the “fuel of the future,” explained the Ministry. The Hydrogen Valley is expected to include a hydrogen refueling station, as well as innovative technologies in the field of hydrogen and energy, including pyrolysis for hydrogen production, hydrogen-based generators, and advanced industrial solutions.

The valley will be established with a government investment of more than 40 million Shekels ($12.2 million).

The Hydrogen and Innovation Valley will serve as an infrastructure and technological hub for examining various aspects of hydrogen production, supply and use in the region and will become a magnet for sustainable economic growth. The valley will demonstrate the hydrogen value chain, from hydrogen production technologies, through storage, warehousing and transportation, to its final use in various sectors.

“The establishment of the valley in Israel will advance the national ability to actually implement hydrogen use throughout the value chain, both in terms of infrastructure and commercial aspects, will assist in formulating appropriate regulation, will advance research and development, and will serve as a physical testing ground, as well as for industrial uses,” said the Ministry.

In addition, the establishment of the valley will enable the promotion of innovation and groundbreaking research and development by demonstrating technologies in the valley. In this way, the valley will create a “bridge” for the promotion of technologies and the assimilation of innovation in the field of energy in general and hydrogen in particular.

The Ministry expects that the establishment of the Valley will create ground for international collaborations in the field of hydrogen and energy innovation, and will be the basis for an infrastructure of regional connectivity in the field of hydrogen and energy.

Jerusalem, 18 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics reported that the industrial output price index for domestic destinations decreased by 0.6% in November 2025 compared to October 2025 (base: 2020 average = 100.0).

The index excluding fuels decreased by 0.1% in November 2025 compared to October 2025 (base: 2020 average = 100.0).

In the last 12 months (November 2025 compared to November 2024), the industrial output price index for domestic destinations decreased by 1.2%, and the index excluding fuels decreased by 0.4%.

The Mining and Quarrying Price Index for Domestic Destinations decreased by 0.6% in November 2025 compared to October 2025 (base: 2020 average = 100.0). In the last 12 months (November 2025 compared to November 2024), the index decreased by 7.1%.

Export price index in industry, mining and quarrying and price indices for the services sector in the third quarter of 2025

The industrial export price index (including mining and quarrying) decreased by 1.9% in the third quarter of 2025, reaching a level of 115.9 points compared to 118.2 points in the previous quarter (base: 2021 average = 100.0 points).

In the third quarter of 2025, prices for legal services decreased by 4.0% and prices for computer programming, computer consulting, and related services decreased by 2.8%.

Jerusalem, 18 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Police confirmed that 13 officers were injured after a group of ultra-orthodox people rioted in a religious neighborhood. The incident began Thursday morning when a local Jerusalem parking inspector gave a ticket to a parked vehicle.

The municipal inspector stated that he was attacked by two youths who kicked his body and threatened his life. As a result, officers from the Jerusalem District were dispatched to the scene and arrested a suspect.

At this stage, said the police, hundreds of rioters began to gather in attempts to free the detainee, while throwing objects at the police and causing damage to the police vehicle, which was overturned by them, and additional forces and Border Police fighters were called in to assist.

As a result of the violence and the rioters’ actions, 13 police officers were injured lightly, and five of them were evacuated for medical treatment. In addition, significant damage was caused to four police vehicles.

During the forces’ activity and in accordance with the intensity of the disturbance, various means intended for handling disturbances were used, including the use of batons, stun grenades and gas, water cannons, and more.

During the disturbances, four suspects were arrested by the police, including the suspect who allegedly attacked the municipal inspector.

Jerusalem District Commander, Deputy Commissioner Ronen Avdiya, conducted a situation assessment in the field and ordered the continuation of operations to restore order.

Jerusalem, 18 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The following are the end of day exchange rates as set by the Bank of Israel Thursday, December 18, 2025:
(Units are given in the foreign currency and the rate is given in its value in Shekels)

Currency | Unit | Rate (NIS) | Daily Change (against the Shekel)
US Dollar | 1 | 3.2180 | ‎-0.155%
GB Pound | 1 | 4.2968 | ‎-0.033%
Japanese Yen | 100 | 2.0652 | ‎-0.343%
Euro | 1 | 3.7728 | ‎-0.087%
AUS Dollar | 1 | 2.1263 | -0.328%
Can Dollar | 1 | 2.3343 | ‎-0.133%
DAN Krone | 1 | 0.5050 | ‎-0.079%
NOR Krone | 1 | 0.3153 | 0%
SA Rand | 1 | 0.1920 | -0.26%
SWD Krona | 1 | 0.3459 | +0.203%
SWS Franc | 1 | 4.0472 | ‎-0.02%