Jerusalem, 14 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety is fighting the exclusion of women on public transportation. A fine of 40,000 Shekels ($12,600) and personal compensation of 22,000 shekels ($6,900) to a female passenger, along with additional fines and penalties against the Dan bus company and a bus driver were levied for a serious incident of exclusion of women and discrimination on public transportation.

The incident occurred in January 2023 on bus route 292, which operates between Bnei Brak and Petah Tikva. A 76-year-old female passenger who boarded the bus was asked by a bus driver to move to the back of the bus, claiming that it was a bus operating in a “mehadrin” format, one which requires the separation of men and women for religious reasons. After she refused, offensive and discriminatory statements were made to her, with the driver participating in the incident.

The Tel Aviv District Traffic Magistrate’s Court ruled that this was improper conduct that violates human dignity and constitutes a violation of the obligation to provide equal service on public transportation.

The indictment was filed by the National Prosecution Department of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety, as part of a clear policy of zero tolerance towards the exclusion of women and discrimination in public transportation. The ministry works systematically to identify cases of violation of passenger rights, through overt and covert enforcement, and does not hesitate to take legal action against public transportation operators and their employees.

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

Tuesday, 13 January 2026 / 23 Tevet 5786

*President Isaac Herzog speaks with Yaakov Harari Following His Release from Prison in Venezuela*

This evening, Tuesday, President Isaac Herzog spoke with Yaakov Harari immediately upon his return home to Israel. Harari had been held in prison in Venezuela for over a year without any justification, under extremely harsh and life-threatening conditions. On Monday, Harari was released from detention following an Israeli and international effort, in which President Herzog also took part at the request of the Israeli government’s Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing, Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch.

During his call with President Herzog, Harari described the suffering he endured and his current condition. President Herzog expressed his support for Harari and his family after the difficult ordeal they had endured.

President Herzog: “Yaakov, after a prolonged period outside Israel and separation from your family, after terrible suffering, thank God you have returned home. On behalf of the State of Israel, I welcome you on your return. We stand by you and your family and will assist you throughout the process of rehabilitation and return to normal life.”

Jerusalem, 14 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection is currently launching an extensive information campaign for local authorities in Arab society, with the aim of raising awareness of the serious dangers to health and the environment posed by the illegal burning of waste.

Burning waste – whether it is household, agricultural or commercial waste – creates a serious health hazard to the environment. The smoke emitted from such incinerators contains toxic and carcinogenic substances that damage the respiratory tract and immune system, and may cause diseases and long-term damage to health, especially among children and sensitive populations.

The ministry developed a comprehensive outreach kit with targeted messages for farmers, business owners, market stall owners and the general public. The kit includes a wide range of outreach materials for local authorities to download and implement, including ads, posters, banners, billboards and social media content.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection emphasized that the responsibility for maintaining clean air and public health is shared by all.

אתמול (ג׳), במהלך פעילות של כוחות החטיבה הצפונית להשמדת תשתיות טרור בצפון הרצועה, הכוחות איתרו משגר טעון עם רקטה מכוונת לשטח מדינת ישראל.בפעילות נוספת של כוחות צוות הקרב של חטיבה 188 בדרום הרצועה, הכוחות איתרו משגר בעל מספר קני שיגור ורקטה שהונחה לצד המשגר. המשגר והרקטה הושמדו על ידי הכוחות.כוחות צה”ל בפיקוד הדרום פרוסים במרחב בהתאם להסכם וימשיכו לפעול להסרת כל איום מיידי.דובר צה”ל:בפעילות בצפון ובדרום רצועת עזה: כוחות צה”ל איתרו שני משגרי רקטותכוחות צה”ל ממשיכים להשמיד תשתיות טרור במרחב הקו הצהוב בצפון ובדרום רצועת עזה. אתמול (ג׳), במהלך פעילות של כוחות החטיבה הצפונית להשמדת תשתיות טרור בצפון הרצועה, הכוחות איתרו משגר טעון עם רקטה מכוונת לשטח מדינת ישראל.בפעילות נוספת של כוחות צוות הקרב של חטיבה 188 בדרום הרצועה, הכוחות איתרו משגר בעל מספר קני שיגור ורקטה שהונחה לצד המשגר. המשגר והרקטה הושמדו על ידי הכוחות.כוחות צה”ל בפיקוד הדרום פרוסים במרחב בהתאם להסכם וימשיכו לפעול להסרת כל איום מיידי.

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.