Author Archives: MichaelOrdman

Here come the storks

Some 140 of the season’s first storks have arrived at the Hula Lake Park, marking the start of the major spring migration. The male birds fly in first, in order to build or reinforce existing nests before the females arrive. … Continue reading

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Record average wage

Israel’s average wage of 14,677 shekels ($4,753) increased by 3.1% compared to December 2024. The December 2025 figure was 0.1% higher than the previous record set in March and up 8% from November, when the average wage was 13,588 shekels … Continue reading

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Tax revenues soar

The Israel Tax Authority collected a record NIS 509.3 billion in 2025, up 12% from 2024. Israel’s fiscal deficit at end 2025 was 4.7% compared to 6.8% at end 2024. A key reason is the successful implementation of the Tax … Continue reading

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Israeli startup investments to 22/3/26

Vast Data raised $1 billion (value 30 billion); Upwind raised $250 million (new Unicorn); Tomorrow.io raised $175 million (new Unicorn); XTEND raised $152 million (IPO); Wonderful AI raised $150 million (value $2 billion); Oasis Security raised $120 million; Lyte raised … Continue reading

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Exits, takeovers & mergers to 22/3/26:

US giant ServiceNow has acquired Israel’s Pyramid Analytics for hundreds of millions of dollars. Dutch-based Nebius has acquired Israel’s Tavily for an estimated $275 million. Israel’s Trax has merged with multinational Form. Israeli-founded Varonis has acquired AllTrue.ai for $150 million. … Continue reading

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Astera Labs opens Israeli R&D center

US semiconductor manufacturer Astera Labs has opened an Israel R&D hub to tap into local talent and develop high-performance AI connectivity technologies. It has rented offices in Tel Aviv and Haifa and is planning to hire hundreds of employees by … Continue reading

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40-storey tower rises in Jerusalem

The 40-storey Marom Tower is the flagship office building for the new business center being constructed at the Jerusalem Gateway district at the Western entrance to Yerusahalayim. Eventually, 20 high-rise towers will house some 60,000 employees. https://worldisraelnews.com/historic-40-story-marom-tower-rises-at-jerusalems-new-gateway/

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More El Al direct flights

El Al is launching nonstop services to Hanoi, Seoul and Manila from Tel Aviv, marking a major expansion of its service to Asia. The thrice-weekly flights to each city will bring to a record 60 the number of destinations serviced … Continue reading

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Highly valued

Israel’s NetVision (see here previously) went public on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2021. Then it was worth NIS 407 million. Today its value is NIS 21 billion. Its lightweight stabilized cameras are ideal for drones, e.g. for Israel’s … Continue reading

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More protection for NATO

Israel’s Elbit has been awarded new contracts worth $150 million, for its Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS). These will be integrated into CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) operated by European NATO member states. In one demonstration Iron Fist intercepted … Continue reading

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