Israel Active

Israel's fiscal deficit narrowed in the twelve months to the end of April 2025, for the seventh consecutive month, to 5.1% of GDP, or NIS 104.7 billion from 5.2% at end of March.

Israel's defense exports in 2024 were a record $14.8 billion, up about 11.7% from 2023 and double the amount five years ago. 54% of exports went to Europe (up from 35% in 2023 - UK, France, Spain, and Ireland take note). Exports to Abraham Accords countries increased to 12% (3% in 2023).

Only an opinion piece, but the facts are undeniable. The shekel is as strong as pre-Oct 7 2023; so is Israeli credit spending and house purchases; Israel’s unemployment is low; and the Tel Aviv Stock market has outperformed New York’s.

Israeli-US venture capital fund Merlin Ventures (see previously) has closed its $75 million second fund, which will focus on investments in growth stage Israeli cybersecurity companies. In addition, Merlin’s Genesis Program will grow the startups in its portfolio.

United Airlines is restarting flights from Newark to Tel Aviv on Jun 5, earlier than expected, following a thorough safety review. AirBaltic also announced that it will resume its flights to Israel on Jun 6.

El Al plans to launch direct flights from Tel Aviv to Buenos Aires, says Argentina’s ambassador to Israel, Axel Wahnish. An official announcement will be made during Argentine President Javiel Milei’s Jun 9-11 visit to Israel. The Argentine leader is one of Israel’s strongest supporters.

Israeli HR and payroll tech startup Deel (see previously) has reached a $1 billion annual revenue run rate as of the first quarter of 2025, marking a significant milestone for the six-year-old company. Deel says it now serves 35,000+ customers and 1.25 million workers in over 150 countries.

Netherlands-based QIAGEN acquired Israel’s for a minimum of ; Israel’s compliance startup acquired Israel’s IT audit software startup for . US Qualcomm has finally taken over Israel’s for “” after the was abandoned due to US regulatory issues in 2024. Israel’s is to acquire US-based Arm-based virtualization Corellium for .

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The Citizens of Israel Fund (Israel’s sovereign wealth fund) manages some $2 billion of state revenues from the levies on the profits of Israel's natural resources, to be used for social, economic, and educational purposes. In 2024, the fund’s return on investments was a healthy 11.5%.