Latest news with #YediothAhronoth
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Israel cuts growth forecast due to conflict expansion, U.S. tariff policies
JERUSALEM, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli Ministry of Finance on Thursday night lowered its growth forecast for 2025 to 3.6 percent, from the 4.3 percent predicted in January. The ministry explained that the baseline scenario of the previous forecast assumed a reduction in combat and military recruitment in the current year, but this has not materialized so far. The revised scenario anticipates an expanded call-up of reserve forces for combat operations in the second quarter of 2025, followed by a gradual reduction in reserve recruitment beginning only in the third quarter. The new forecast also takes into account the impact of the U.S. new import tax policies and recent official data on the activity of the Israeli economy. The Israeli ministry assumes that the U.S. tariffs rise will lead to a decrease of about two percent in global trade in 2025 and 2026. It also revised down the Israeli economy's growth forecast for 2026, from 5.4 to 4.4 percent. Gad Lior, a senior analyst at the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, told Xinhua that the reduction in the growth forecast and the recent larger-than-expected rise in Israel's inflation are expected to lead to a decline in economic activity and a hit to tax revenues, alongside an increase in government spending.
Jordan News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Jordan News
Israeli Opposition Leader Urges Immediate Acceptance of Whitcomb's Proposal - Jordan News
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called on Tel Aviv to publicly and immediately accept the plan put forward by U.S. special envoy Steve Whitcomb during the "Israel Will Prevail" conference organized by the Pearl Katzenelson Foundation in Tel Aviv. اضافة اعلان According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Thursday, Lapid said, "Israel must accept the plan published this morning by the U.S. mediator Steve Whitcomb, openly and immediately." He added, "I remind Netanyahu that I support accepting the plan, even if National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich try to sabotage it." Whitcomb proposed a new ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for 60 days, which includes the release of 10 hostages, according to Israeli media. Under the draft of the new plan, hostages would be released in two batches within a week, according to several media outlets. Hamas would also be required to hand over the bodies of 18 captives still held in Gaza, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Forces Raid Money Exchange Companies in West Bank
Israeli forces on Tuesday raided several money exchange companies in what Israeli media described as part of a campaign to disrupt financial networks allegedly linked to Palestinian factions. The campaign targeted most West Bank cities, where the occupation forces raided the offices of money exchange companies and confiscated computers and safes. They also arrested several shop owners in Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron and Jenin. The forces confiscated cash, cryptocurrency and jewelry that were intended to finance terrorist attacks, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. 'Israeli security forces launched a West Bank operation Tuesday targeting currency exchange businesses suspected of funneling terror funds, seizing approximately 7.5 million shekels ($2 million) in cash and assets,' the newspaper wrote. Yedioth Ahronoth said the operation follows extensive planning by the Israeli army's Central Command and West Bank divisions, focusing on intercepting funds used to finance 'terror' activity. In addition to cash, the newspaper wrote that the Israeli forces confiscated cryptocurrency (including Bitcoin), jewelry and other tools allegedly used by currency exchangers to transfer funds to terror networks. Several suspects were arrested and businesses were shut down under military orders. Since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, the army's West Bank Division has escalated its financial crackdown, confiscating more than 28 million shekels ($7.5 million) in terror-linked assets, according to Yedioth Ahronoth. It quoted Palestinian sources as saying that on Tuesday, Israeli forces raided a currency exchange company named Al-Khaleej (The Gulf) in Nablus, arresting an employee and seizing money and furniture. On some money exchange shops, the Israeli forces left behind flyers that read: 'Attention! Israeli security forces are taking action against this company due to its ties to terrorist organizations. As a resident, you should seek a different exchanger who operates lawfully. Any dealings with Al-Khaleej put you and your money at risk and may result in legal consequences. Stay away from this place.' Al-Khaleej is the main money exchange company that Israeli forces targeted during their campaign in the West Bank. Videos and photos showed the forces arresting several shop employees while confiscating sums of money and equipment. The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority did not immediately comment on the Israeli raids. But on previous occasions, it has described such campaigns as an 'an act that aims to undermine the Palestinian banking sector.' For years, Israel has been fighting what it calls the 'Hamas money channels' in both Gaza and the West Bank. Most of the seized money originated from Türkiye and Iran and was intended to support terror attacks in the West Bank and other areas, Yedioth Ahronoth said. The Israeli army says that some of the money sent to Hamas were channeled through humanitarian aid and in hand-carry cash, while others via normal bank transfers. It accuses the movement of smuggling money in ways that are difficult to uncover, using multiple money exchange businesses rather than a central office.
Saba Yemen
5 days ago
- Health
- Saba Yemen
Half Million Israelis seek Psychological support since start of War
Gaza – SABA: Israeli media have revealed a sharp rise in requests for psychological assistance among Israeli occupation soldiers and their families—particularly reservists—as the war on Gaza continues. According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, citing an official report, more than half a million Israeli citizens have sought psychological treatment since the outbreak of the war on Gaza last October. This marks a worrying indication of a growing mental health crisis within Israeli society. The report states that 66,000 of those seeking help are active soldiers or their family members, many of whom are experiencing symptoms of psychological disorders such as depression, severe anxiety, and social withdrawal. It also notes that the majority of these individuals suffer from sleep disturbances, panic attacks, and problems in social relationships—symptoms directly linked to war trauma, combat experiences, or the loss of relatives and friends. This report reflects a darker side of the ongoing war—its effects not only playing out on military or political fronts but also deeply impacting the psychological well-being of Israeli society. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Jordan News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Jordan News
'Whitcov' Expects Progress in Gaza Negotiations in Coming Days - Jordan News
Steve Whitcov, the U.S. President's envoy to the Middle East, has expressed optimism about making tangible progress soon in the negotiations for a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth. اضافة اعلان The newspaper reported that Whitcov, along with Adam Bowler, the U.S. envoy for hostage affairs, met with families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. They informed the families that there is a significant opportunity to advance this complex issue. Whitcov emphasized that the United States continues to work behind the scenes and is applying pressure on both parties involved. Whitcov was quoted saying that Israeli assessments indicate Washington is pressuring Israel to provide guarantees to Hamas to end the war, which is one of the key conditions demanded by Hamas for agreeing to the original U.S. plan that Whitcov had proposed earlier. These remarks come amid ongoing stalemate in negotiations, while regional and international efforts intensify to reach an agreement that would end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and secure the return of the hostages to their families.
