Jerusalem, 14 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Tax Authority reported that the import of vehicles in 2025 totaled 240,188 (private) compared to 325,943 in 2024, a decrease of 26.3%. Commercial vehicle imports totaled 10,872, compared to 10,470 in 2024, an increase of 4.0%.

Imports of private vehicles were lower in the aggregate through December 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, following a massive advance in December 2024 on the eve of the reduction in the purchase tax benefit for electric vehicles, an update to the green taxation formula, and a green taxation outline. In December 2025, increased imports of electric vehicles were recorded prior to the purchase tax increase, but to a lower extent.

In December 2025, imports were higher than usual at 36,788 (private) vehicles, but as mentioned, significantly lower compared to 95,061 in December 2024. This is a decrease of 61.3%. Commercial vehicle imports totaled 1,146 vehicles compared to 1,488 in December 2024, a decrease of 23.0%.

Trend data indicates an increase in passenger vehicle imports starting in mid-2025.

The terrorists fired at the forces in one of the tanks and an exchange of fire began, which included aerial attacks in the area. So far, the forces have eliminated two terrorists. The forces continue to search the area for terrorists and the incident is still ongoing. This is a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Nine suspects were arrested in an extortion “protection” case. Following an undercover investigation, Northern District police raided numerous targets, made the arrests and seized over a million shekels in cash as part of a large-scale extortion case. In addition, six vehicles were seized, one of which is suspected to be stolen with duplicate license plates.

The investigation revealed that behind the extortion incidents was a cell that called itself “Shabab Al Jabal,” which extorted protection money from innocent people and fired at the buildings of those who did not meet the payment demands.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Government of Israel and Society Division in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) published for the first time the recommendations of the inter-ministerial team for innovation in government, with the intention of creating a leap forward in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of service and responses to the public. This, said the PMO, is done by establishing a strategic, holistic and applicable action plan to concentrate efforts, connect and diversify measures, and by continuously identifying, supporting and accelerating innovative initiatives and ventures and removing systemic barriers to their advancement.

Among other things, the professional work lays out an outline and initial operating theory for institutional-process innovation in government, which includes a comprehensive approach to efforts in this context, and is not based solely on aspects of digitization and digital innovation.

Main recommendations:

Creating and managing a cross-cutting and measurable portfolio of government efforts based on shared conceptualization and operational theory.

A hybrid innovation management model supports, encourages, empowers, and values the initiatives and innovations that emerge from the field and, on the other hand, creates a strategic
framework/professional conceptual umbrella for the field from a COG (Center of Government) perspective.

Removing barriers to innovation as a key effort to enable innovation.

Accelerating and supporting entrepreneurs and initiatives throughout the government to realize and leverage capabilities, including in designated spaces.

Skills and tools for human capital – with an emphasis on focused development and implementation capsules.

The incentive of government bodies and risk management executives enables and promotes innovation.

The forces located the Israelis and safely extracted them from the village. The IDF emphasizes that entering Area A is forbidden and dangerous for Israelis and constitutes a violation of the law.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Coastal District Police Chief and the Carmel Region Police Chief succeeded in solving a case of attempted extortion of a doctor, with threats and shooting at a doctor’s home and vehicle, of millions of Shekels. An indictment was filed against the suspect in the act.

The suspect is a 20-year-old resident of Daliyat al-Karmel, a Druze town on Mount Carmel.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Thirteen suspects were arrested and tens of thousands of counterfeit tobacco products and stolen vehicles were seized in a raid conducted Tuesday morning in the Shu’fat refugee camp in northern Jerusalem. The raid was part of the “capital shield” program, which was launched Sunday night, as part of the Israel Police’s fight against criminal elements, terrorist infrastructures, and troublemakers in Jerusalem.

During the operation, 10 vehicles with an estimated value of more than 400,000 Shekels ($127,000) were seized. 90,000 packs of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes were seized – the estimated value of the goods was approximately 890,000 Shekels ($282,000). Business owners were also summoned for further investigation and criminal proceedings will be initiated against them for the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods.

Part of the main goals of the Capital Shield program is to integrate forces with civilian enforcement agencies, with the aim of ensuring that the law is enforced everywhere in the Jerusalem area and the villages adjacent to the fence. The sale of unsupervised food and counterfeit goods is not only an economic offense, but a direct violation of the security and health of residents. The ‘Capital Shield’ program will continue in a variety of areas, in order to increase and strengthen sovereignty and governance.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — With an investment of approximately 450 million Shekels ($143), Israel’s Ministry of Transportation is embarking on the expansion of Highway 505 from Ariel to Tapuach Junction in Samaria.

The project, which will be carried out by the Israel Roads Company, will transform the main axis into a two-lane, two-lane highway, upgrade safety, and include public transportation infrastructure and advanced security components.

As part of the work, the road will be expanded to a two-lane and two-lane route along the entire section. The project includes the resurfacing of the Ariel Intersection, the Marda/Jama’in Intersection and the Kfar Tapuach Intersection, alongside the establishment of public transportation lanes (PTLs) at the intersections in preparation for a future public transportation system. The work will also include complex engineering development, the construction of retaining walls, drainage arrangements, landscape development and water infrastructure.

In addition, many resources will be invested in security components that include floodlighting, protective fences and infrastructure for advanced security systems. The tender for the work was published a week ago.

Jerusalem, 13 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Tuesday with Yaakov Harari, who was released Monday night from prison in Venezuela and landed in Israel a short time ago. Harari is an Israeli-Argentine businessman who Venezuela accused of being a mercenary.

Yacob, 72, was held for more than a year by the Maduro regime along with dozens of other Western prisoners.

Yael and Ya’ara, Yaakov’s daughters, also participated in the conversation, who wished to express their appreciation to the State of Israel, the Prime Minister, the Jewish community in Caracas, and all of the state’s envoys for the relentless effort to free their father from prison and return him home.

The Prime Minister congratulated the Harari family and wished the family members and Yaakov health, a speedy recovery, and a return to a normal life after the nightmare they went through.

The Prime Minister expressed appreciation to the Foreign Ministry, the Mossad, and the coordinator of the Shul, Gal Hirsch, for their work and wished to thank the American government, the German government, the Austrian government, and the Italian government for the assistance they provided to Israel in the process of returning Yaakov to his homeland.