Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The National Digital Directorate and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology announced today (19.01.2026) 13 new government projects that will receive support as part of the second call for proposals to integrate artificial intelligence into the work of government ministries. This is a large-scale initiative to promote artificial intelligence applications in government ministries and trust units, with the aim of improving services to citizens, streamlining work processes and moving the public sector into the era of artificial intelligence.

As part of the program, with a total investment of approximately NIS 40 million led by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and the National Digital System, the selected projects will receive professional guidance from AI experts from the public sector and Academia, dedicated training and regulatory guidance that will ensure responsible implementation of the technology in government ministries.

The selected projects will receive professional guidance from AI experts from the public sector and academia, dedicated training and regulatory guidance that will ensure responsible implementation of the technology in government ministries.

Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Knesset plenum approved in a first reading the bill to amend and extend the validity of the Emergency Regulations (Iron Swords) (Extension of Detention for a Suspect in a Security Offense), 2026. In the vote, 10 Knesset members supported the bill, against 4 opponents, and it will be forwarded for discussion in the Constitution Committee.

It is proposed to extend the validity of emergency regulations that allow for the extension of detention of those detained due to hostilities that occurred between October 7, 2023, and October 13, 2023, or those detained as part of the war operations in Gaza. The proposed extension is until July 31, 2026.

The explanatory notes to the proposal state: “Since the recent extension of the law, new suspects have been arrested and new evidence has been added that required the completion of an investigation into the suspects. Furthermore, the investigation has not yet been completed and no indictments have been filed.”

Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Today (Monday), Israel’s Ministry of Transportation gave the green light to advance two of the central and important integrated transportation hubs (IHTCs) in the country: the “Hashalom” IHTC and the “Haganah” IHTC in Tel Aviv, located along the Ayalon Freeway. The interchanges will connect the metro, light rail, Israel Railways, buses, bike paths, and everything in an advanced urban space to improve accessibility, connectivity, and quality of life for hundreds of thousands of passengers every day.

The Hashalom Interchange: The Hashalom Station is one of the seven integrated transportation centers to be built in the Dan Bloc, covering an area of approximately 150 dunams. With a forecast of approximately 80,000 passengers during peak hours, the Hashalom Station is expected to be one of the central and main stations for public transportation in Israel.

The interchange will combine the M1 and M2 metro lines, Israel Railways, bus service, and a pedestrian network and urban connections, and will provide a direct response to the main demand centers in the area, including the Azrieli Center.

The Hagana Interchange: Covers an area of approximately 100,000 square meters and will be one of the main transportation hubs along the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv. The interchange is expected to serve Approximately 25,000 passengers during peak hours, and to combine the light rail, the Purple Line, the M1 metro line, Israel Railways and a bus terminal. This is part of an advanced and continuous urban transportation fabric.

Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s National Transportation Safety Board approved the plan of the Ministry of Transportation and the Israel Ports Company for the construction of marine fuel links (underwater connections) at the Port of Ashdod.

Approval of the plan came after what Israel’s Shipping and Ports Authority described as “professional and intensive work by the Ministry of Transportation and the Israel Ports Company.”

The plan constitutes a central pillar in strengthening the functional continuity of the Israeli energy sector, both in routine and in times of emergency. As part of its implementation, old marine fuel lines in the marine links will be replaced with new lines that meet the most advanced engineering and environmental standards, including fuel vapor recovery systems, in order to significantly reduce air pollution and environmental risk.

The plan was promoted in accordance with the government’s decision to examine and plan the establishment of port infrastructure for the import of crude oil, fuel distillates and gas (LPG) in the ashdod port area, and to bring it to the approval of the authorized planning institutions. Minister Regev assigned the task to the Israel Ports Company, which operated on an especially fast schedule to examine, plan and promote a statutory plan for both.

In addition, the plan enables the establishment of a dedicated infrastructure for the import and export of LPG in the Ashdod Port area, in accordance with the government’s decision, thereby supporting the national move to close the refinery complex in Haifa Bay.

Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Numerous police forces from the Northern District and the Border Police last night (Sunday) raided several targets in the Arab village of Kfar Kanna, which is located in the Galilee, and arrested 10 people on suspicion of involvement in shootings and incidents of violence as part of a conflict between two families.

The arrests, said the Israel Police, came following several violent incidents that occurred in the village.

The Northern District police are engaged in extensive activity in the fight against violent crime. The activity is carried out on all levels, from thwarting smuggling and arms trafficking, through undercover operations to thwart criminal activity before it is carried out, to rapid response to any violent incident through constant presence and activity to maintain public safety. Over 1,000 weapons were seized in the Northern District last year and armed gangs were arrested.

Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) released the data on the number of job vacancies during the fourth quarter, October-December, of 2025.

Seasonally adjusted data for December 2025:

The CBS reported a continued upward trend in the number of job vacancies – 152,134 in December compared to 150,953 in November.

A slight increase in the job vacancy rate – 4.59 in December compared to 4.58 in November, the highest rate since November 2022.

Labor demand in 2025 compared to 2024 and compared to pre-war demand:

The vacancy rate rose from 4.0 before the Iron Swords War (average 2023 excluding the last quarter) to 4.4 in 2025, similar to the rate estimated in 2024.

A comparison of the rate of job vacancies by industry in 2025 with the rate before the war found that there was an increase in all industries except health and nursing services and transportation and haulage services; the sharpest increase was in the construction and trade industries.

Comparing the vacancy rate in 2024 to 2025, there is a decrease in the demand for workers in the construction industries (from 10.2 to 8.8, respectively), while there was an increase in the trade industries (from 4.4 to 4.9, respectively).

In the high-tech services industry, there was an increase in the vacancy rate in 2025 compared to 2024 (4.8 compared to 4.2 in 2024)

In the overall survey population, the vacancy rate in 2025 remains similar to the estimate in 2024.

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, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Foreign Minister met with the visiting President of the Czech Senate Miloš Vystrčil and described his discussion with Vystrčil and Deputy Presidents of the Czech Senate who are also visiting as “good.”

Sa’ar said they agreed to “continue strengthening cooperation between our countries in various fields, including academia, medicine, and science and also agreed that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards “promote global terrorism and carry out the murder of their own people.”

“The IRGC is a terrorist organization,” declared Sa’ar, adding, “We’ll continue strengthening relations between our countries!”

Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Police arrested three Hebron residents, aged 18 and 31, who were caught in the act of trading in M-16 weapons.

The arrests came after an undercover investigation, conducted as part of the fight against weapons offenses, led to operational activity together with Jerusalem Border Police officers against criminal elements. Last weekend, the forces worked to arrest the three suspects in the act, while carrying out a weapons transaction.

Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli authorities have detained 10 people allegedly involved in a drone-based smuggling network supplying drugs and weapons across the country’s southern borders, the Israeli Police announced on Monday. Investigators said the suspects set up shell companies and falsified invoices to launder money and conceal their operations.

Coordinated raids on the suspects’ homes on Monday morning resulting in the seizure of documents and other assets. Officials allege the drones were purchased in bulk and then handed to criminal groups to carry out the illicit shipments.

The suspects are scheduled to appear in Beer-Sheva Magistrate’s Court for a hearing on extended detention.