Israel News

Many residents of Israel approach the age of 60 with the feeling that retirement is something distant, complicated, and almost inevitably bureaucratic. As long as there is work, a salary, and a familiar rhythm of life, it seems that dealing with pension funds can be postponed: closer to 67 years, after dismissal, or already when Bituach Leumi sends some documents.

But in reality, this approach often becomes the most costly mistake.

In Israel, the pension system is arranged so that a person can have several different sources of future income: state old-age benefits, a pension fund, Bituach Menahalim, Kupat Gemel, Keren Hishtalmut, severance pay, old savings from previous employers, and additional insurance or pension programs. Some of this money people remember, some they have long forgotten, and some programs they only learn about after a professional review.

And here arises the main question for those who have already turned 60 or are approaching this age: can one already start receiving a pension from the pension fund and continue working?

The answer may be unexpected. In some cases — yes, this possibility is indeed worth checking. But this does not mean that everyone over 60 should urgently start receiving payments. For one person, such a step may increase family income today, while for another — decrease future pension, affect taxes, or create problems for the family in the future.

Therefore, the right question is not “am I entitled to a pension?” but rather: what is beneficial in my specific situation?

Pension in Israel is not a single button and not a single payment

For many Russian-speaking Israelis, the word “pension” sounds like something singular: reached the age, submitted documents, started receiving money. But in Israel, everything is more complicated, and because of this, people often get confused.

There is an old-age benefit from Bituach Leumi. This is a state payment that depends on age, insurance record, income, and other conditions.

There is a pension fund — money that has been accumulated over the years from employee and employer contributions. These funds are not the same as the Bituach Leumi benefit and operate under different rules.

There is severance pay — a compensatory part that may be related to dismissal, job change, and pension savings. Sometimes a person perceives this money as a “free amount” that can simply be taken, but such a decision can affect the future monthly pension.

There is Keren Hishtalmut, Kupat Gemel, old pension programs, additional insurances, and savings that may have remained from previous workplaces. This is especially common for people who have changed employers several times in their lives, worked part-time, were self-employed, or moved between cities and fields of employment.

That is why before retiring, it is important not just to ask an acquaintance “how was it for you?” but to gather a complete picture.

• How many pension programs do you have?
• Where are the savings located?
• What amount is already there?
• What commissions do you pay?
• What is the forecast for the monthly pension?
• What will happen if you start receiving payments now?
• What will change if you wait a few more years?
• How is all this related to taxes, spouse, heirs, and future living standards?

Until these questions are answered, any decision will be more of a guess than planning.

Why the age of 60+ requires a separate check

In Israel, there is the concept of early retirement age. For many pension issues, the age of 60 becomes an important point because it is after this age that in some cases, one can consider starting to receive payments from the pension fund.

But this is not an automatic right “for everyone” and not a universal advice.

Imagine a typical family in Israel. The husband is 63 years old, the wife is 59. The husband continues to work, receives a salary, and the family is used to planning expenses around the current income. They know that there will be a pension someday, but are not sure when exactly to start the process, what documents are needed, and whether it makes sense to check something in advance.

After a professional review, it may turn out that the pension fund already allows considering a monthly payment, even if the person continues to work. For the family, this may mean additional income now: money for current expenses, helping children, treatment, rent, mortgage, trips, or just a more peaceful life.

But for another family with a similar age and similar salary, the calculation may show the opposite. If you start receiving money too early, the future pension may become lower. If you incorrectly handle severance pay, you can worsen the long-term picture. If you do not consider the tax, the amount “on paper” will not be the same amount that actually comes to the account.

That’s why the topic of 60+ is so sensitive: you can’t work by template here.

The same question — “receive now or wait?” — can have two different correct answers for two people.

The pension fund is not Bituach Leumi

One of the most common confusions arises between Bituach Leumi and the pension fund. People say “pension,” but mean completely different things.

Bituach Leumi is the national insurance system. The old-age benefit is related to state rules, age of entitlement, income checks in certain periods, and insurance record.

The pension fund is savings that were formed through work. Money was transferred there from the salary and employer contributions. These funds may be related to pension payments, severance pay, insurance part, and the chosen pension route.

If a person mixes these two topics, they may incorrectly assess their situation. For example, they may think: “I am not yet receiving Bituach Leumi, so there can be no pension yet.” Or vice versa: “Since I am soon entitled to an old-age benefit, the pension fund will do everything itself.”

In practice, it doesn’t work that way.

Bituach Leumi benefits and payments from the pension fund need to be considered separately, and then look at the overall picture of family income. Only then can you understand how much money a person can actually receive per month, what amounts will be gross, what net, what will happen with the tax, and how income will change after stopping work.

NANews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency regularly raises such topics precisely because for Russian-speaking families in Israel, this is not an abstract financial theory, but a question of everyday life: paying for housing, maintaining income levels, not losing rights, and not signing documents whose consequences will be difficult to correct later.

Where people most often lose money

The most common mistake is not checking pension savings at all. A person sees deductions in the payslip, knows that “something is there,” but does not understand in which fund the money is, what investment route is chosen, how much maintenance costs, and what the forecast for the future pension is.

The second mistake is waiting for dismissal or official retirement age to open documents for the first time. By this time, some decisions may already be less flexible, and there is much less time left for calm preparation.

The third mistake is withdrawing severance pay without calculation. At first glance, this seems logical: the money is accumulated, so it can be used now. But in Israel’s pension system, the compensatory part is often linked to the future pension, and its withdrawal can significantly reduce the monthly payment in old age. Sometimes a person receives a lump sum today but loses much more in the future.

The fourth mistake is looking only at the “gross” amount. The pension payment may look attractive in calculation, but after taxes and other conditions, the real amount will be different. Therefore, it is important to understand not only the size of the possible pension but also how much a person will actually see in the bank account.

The fifth mistake is not considering the spouse. When starting to receive a pension, a person can choose conditions that will affect what their spouse will receive after their death. This is not a technical detail, but one of the most important family decisions in pension planning.

There is another serious problem: many people rely on someone else’s experience.

Someone says: “I started receiving — and everything is great.” Another says: “Don’t touch anything until 67.” A third advises withdrawing severance pay because “money should be in hand.” But someone else’s story does not replace calculation because each person has different savings, record, income, spouse’s age, health, tax situation, and work plans.

What you need to know before making a decision

If you are already 60 years old or this age is approaching, the first thing to do is not to urgently submit documents and not withdraw money, but to check the whole picture.

You need to understand how many pension programs are open in your name.

Sometimes a person has an active fund from the last employer and one or more old funds that they have long forgotten about. It happens that money is in different places, and without checking, it is impossible to see the full amount.

It is important to find out what monthly payment can be received now and what the forecast will be if you wait a few years. The difference can be significant, especially if the person continues to work and contributions to the pension fund continue to be made.

Separately, you need to check severance pay. This is one of the most sensitive blocks because the decision on compensations can affect future pension, tax benefits, and the overall structure of payments.

The tax issue is no less important. Pension in Israel can have tax consequences, and before starting payments, it is worth understanding what exemptions or benefits may be available, what documents need to be prepared, and how not to create unnecessary tax burden.

It is also necessary to discuss the family part in advance. What will the spouse receive? What guaranteed payments can be chosen? What will happen to the money if the person starts receiving a pension and then passes away in a few years or even earlier? These questions are unpleasant to discuss, but they protect the family from severe financial surprises.

A good pension review should give a person not a beautiful advertising phrase, but a clear answer: what options are there, what are the advantages, what are the risks, and what is more beneficial right now.

Can you work and receive a pension at the same time

In some situations, a person can indeed continue to work and simultaneously receive payments from the pension fund. For Russian-speaking Israelis, this often becomes a revelation because many are sure: the pension starts only after dismissal.

However, it is important not to confuse possibility with recommendation.

If the pension fund allows starting the payment, this does not mean that the decision is automatically beneficial. You need to look at how much money is accumulated, what the size of the monthly payment will be, whether pension contributions from the current work will continue, how the future pension will change, what will happen with taxes, and how it will affect the family.

Sometimes it may indeed be beneficial for a person to start receiving part of the pension income now. For example, if the family needs additional monthly income, if there are large expenses, or if the calculation shows that waiting does not give a significant advantage.

But sometimes it is better to wait. Especially if the person earns well, continues to actively save, does not need additional payments now, or can get a stronger pension picture in a few years.

The main thing is not to make a decision based on emotions.

Pension after 60 in Israel is not a question of “can or cannot.” It is a question of balance between today’s money and future stability.

Why an article on this topic is important specifically for Russian-speaking Israelis

The Russian-speaking audience in Israel often faces several barriers at once.

One barrier is language. Even if a person speaks Hebrew, pension documents, tax forms, and fund explanations can be written in such a way that it is difficult to understand the meaning without a specialist.

The second barrier is the habit of comparing the Israeli system with the country from which the person came. But the Israeli pension system works differently, and old ideas can hinder here.

The third barrier is distrust. People are afraid that they will be “sold something,” so sometimes they do not check anything at all. As a result, instead of caution, there is inaction, and inaction in the pension topic can also cost money.

The fourth barrier is a late start. Many begin to deal with the pension only when they are tired of working, have fallen ill, lost their job, or faced a sharp drop in income. But pension decisions are better made not under pressure, but in advance, calmly, and with calculation.

Therefore, the goal of such a review is not to force a person to urgently sign something. The goal is different: to see the facts.

Where is the money?

How much is there?

What rights are there?

What risks are there?

What actions are better not to take without calculation?

And what option might be reasonable for this family?

When a check is especially needed

It is worth checking pension savings if you are already 60 years old, continue to work, and do not know if you can receive payments from the fund alongside your salary.

This is also important if you have changed jobs several times, are not sure where old pension programs are located, do not know if you have severance pay, or have never looked at a pension forecast.

It is worth checking the situation separately if you are thinking of quitting, retiring early, withdrawing compensation payments, helping children with a large sum, or paying off debts with pension money.

Such decisions may be understandable on a human level, but financially they require calculation. Money that seems “free” today may turn out to be part of future monthly income.

A check is also needed for those who help parents. Very often, it is the children who seek information for mom or dad because parents do not want to deal with personal accounts, are afraid of Hebrew, or do not understand what documents are needed.

If parents are 60+, they work or have recently worked, they may have pension rights that the family simply does not know about.

What to do now

If you are already 60 years old or this age is approaching, do not wait until the situation becomes urgent. It is much more reasonable to find out in advance what pension savings you have, whether you can already consider a monthly payment, how it will affect the future pension, and what tax issues need to be checked before signing documents.

It is important to emphasize: it is not about everyone immediately starting to receive a pension. It is about not living blindly.

Sometimes a check shows that a person can increase monthly income now.

Sometimes it shows that it is better to wait.

Sometimes it helps find old savings.

Sometimes it warns of a mistake with severance pay.

Sometimes it just gives the family peace of mind: now it is clear what is there, what is not, and what to prepare for.

In detail about retirement in Israel, pension funds, Bituach Leumi, severance pay, and important checks before making a decision can be read here: https://nikk.agency/vam-60-v-izraile/

For a person 60+, such information may not just be a useful article, but the beginning of a normal financial review before an important life stage.

Pension in Israel is not just about age. It is about documents, savings, taxes, family, work, and decisions that can affect income for many years.

Therefore, the most reasonable first step is not to guess, but to check.

 

“When purchasing a ticket, you can add 20 shekels. These funds will go towards funding discounted tickets for Ukrainian refugees in Israel due to the war. Ukrainian refugees wishing to receive a discounted ticket can contact the organizers. The initiative is in cooperation with ASSAF, an organization helping refugees and asylum seekers in Israel.

If you are serving mandatory service in Israel or have served in the reserves for more than 10 days this year, you are entitled to a free ticket. Contact the organizers for details. Part of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to support volunteer initiatives in Ukraine and the Ukrainian community in Israel”.

Organizer – “Nezalezhna – Ukrainian Party“.

On August 24, 2026, Ukraine will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the restoration of its state independence.

In 1991, on this day, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine. The document declared Ukraine an independent democratic state, and its territory indivisible and inviolable. The historic decision was a response not only to the collapse of the Soviet system but also to the long-standing aspiration of Ukrainians to regain their statehood.

35 years later, Ukraine’s Independence Day can no longer be perceived solely as a festive date on the calendar.

Today, Ukraine continues to defend that decision with arms in hand — against Russian aggression, attempts to destroy Ukrainian statehood, culture, language, and the right of Ukrainians to determine their own future.

For millions of Ukrainians inside the country and abroad, August 24 has become simultaneously a day of pride, memory, resistance, and hope.

In Israel, the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence will be celebrated with a large “Ukrainian” party “NEZALEZHNA 2026”, which will take place on August 21, 2026, in Tel Aviv.

What happened on August 24, 1991

The decision on independence was made after the failure of the coup in Moscow, whose participants tried to preserve the Soviet Union and restore strict control of the communist center over the union republics.

On the evening of August 24, 1991, the Ukrainian parliament supported the Act of Declaration of Independence. It explicitly stated that henceforth only the Constitution and laws of Ukraine have force on the territory of Ukraine.

However, the final word had to be said by the citizens.

On December 1, 1991, a nationwide referendum was held, in which more than 90% of participants voted for independence. Importantly, the majority spoke in favor of an independent Ukrainian state in all regions of the country, including Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Crimea, and Sevastopol.

Thus, Ukraine’s independence was not a “gift from Moscow,” a “random consequence of the USSR’s collapse,” or a “decision of a narrow group of politicians.”

It was confirmed by the will of the Ukrainian people.

Ukrainian statehood did not begin in 1991. Modern Ukraine is a continuation of a much longer struggle — from the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the declaration of independence in 1918 to the dissident movement, resistance to Soviet repressions, and preservation of language and national memory.

Independence that has to be defended every day

Since 2014, and especially after February 24, 2022, the words “Independence Day” have taken on an even more literal meaning for Ukraine.

Independence today is not only the state flag, anthem, and festive events.

It is Ukrainian soldiers on the front line, air defense units, medics, volunteers, rescuers, energy workers, and ordinary citizens who continue to live and work under the threat of Russian missile and drone attacks.

It is cities that restore power supply after strikes.

It is families waiting for the return of soldiers and prisoners.

It is people who have lost their homes but have not given up on Ukraine.

In 2026, the war continues for the fifth year after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. Russia retains the ability to launch massive strikes on Ukrainian cities, while Ukraine develops its own weapons production and conducts long-range operations against military and energy facilities on the territory of the aggressor state.

Therefore, the 35th anniversary of independence is not just an anniversary.

It is a reminder of the price Ukraine pays for the right to exist.

NAnovosti — News of Israel considers this date an important part of the life of the “Ukrainian community” in Israel. For people who are far from Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, or Zaporizhzhia, “Ukrainian” events become a way to maintain a connection with their country, support each other, and show that Ukraine remains a part of their lives.

“NEZALEZHNA 2026” in the center of Tel Aviv

The main festive event of the “Ukrainian” community will take place on Friday, August 21, 2026, three days before the official Independence Day.

The organizers invite Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine, as well as everyone interested, to a large party “NEZALEZHNA 2026”, dedicated to the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence.

This year, the event moves to a new venue in the very center of Tel Aviv:

CALLAS TLV
Menachem Begin Road 37, Tel Aviv-Yafo

The organizers promise a program for the entire evening and all night — until the very morning.

“We don’t promise a quiet sit-down“,” says the event announcement.

According to organizer Daniel Lutin, the event is created with the participation of many representatives of the “Ukrainian community” in Israel. It is not only a club party but also a large gathering of people united by Ukraine, Ukrainian culture, and the desire to celebrate an important date for Ukraine together.

Who will perform at “NEZALEZHNA 2026”

Joining the celebration are:

Anya and the restaurant “SHO?!”, representing modern Ukrainian cuisine in Israel;

Olya Yaros, who will be the host of the evening;

Anton Shevchenko — a comedian and artist, participating in the event for the first time;

DJs Sasha RAZME, Den DOMINIC, and Daniel LOUTIQUE.

The special guest of the evening will be DJ LUMARE from Lviv.

Her arrival creates a direct cultural connection between the modern Ukrainian music scene and the “Ukrainian community” in Israel. The party will unite Ukrainian music, electronic sound, humor, gastronomy, and the atmosphere of Tel Aviv’s nightlife.

Also during “NEZALEZHNA 2026”, the premiere of a new remix by Daniel LOUTIQUE on a song by Iryna Bilyk is expected.

The organizer wants to pass the composition to the singer herself and has reached out to representatives of the “Ukrainian community” to help establish contact so that the remix definitely reaches the artist.

The door opens at 19:00.
The program starts at 20:00.

Dress code: festive, cocktail, or Ukrainian.

From the organizers:

“The best is to combine an elegant look with a Ukrainian accent. Until midnight, you will have a festive program with MC OLYA Y (Olya Yaros), and comedian and artist Anton Shevchenko.
It will be loud, fun, festive, with contests and cool prizes 🎁 And most importantly: this time “NEZALEZHNA 2026” continues until the very morning.
This is an event for the entire evening and all night. This year we heard you.
On the dance floor, there will be Ukrainian music, modern world hits, legendary favorite songs, new remixes, and premieres from our DJs, which will be heard for the first time at “NEZALEZHNA 2026″”.

“One ticket for the entire evening and all night. The ticket price includes:
• entry to the main festive part of “NEZALEZHNA 2026”;
• entry to the night disco after midnight;
• welcome drink at the beginning of the evening;
• buffet snacks, vegetables, and fruits from SHO;
• a large Ukrainian atmosphere that we create together. There will be a bar with special prices on location, where you can purchase drinks throughout the evening and night 🍸
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance, but pre-purchase is cheaper and helps us better prepare for the event.”

Why the Motherland Monument appeared against the backdrop of the Azrieli Towers

The event poster sparked separate discussions.

It depicts the Ukrainian Motherland Monument against the backdrop of one of Tel Aviv’s most recognizable landscapes — the Azrieli Towers.

One user asked the organizers what connection the Ukrainian monument has to Tel Aviv.

Daniel Lutin, who acted as the event organizer and poster designer, explained that it is a conscious artistic composition.

According to him, the authors did not try to present Kyiv and Tel Aviv as one place. They combined Ukrainian symbols with the city where the “Ukrainian community” will celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day.

“For me, it is a symbol that Ukraine lives in the hearts of people, wherever they are,” explained the organizer.

People can work in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Ashdod, or Be’er Sheva, speak Hebrew, and build their lives in Israel, but at the same time maintain their Ukrainian identity, follow events in Ukraine, help the army, volunteers, and those affected by the war.

A celebration far from home, but together with Ukraine

Ukrainian events abroad during the war inevitably have a dual meaning.

People come to listen to music, dance, and meet friends. But behind the festive atmosphere remains the understanding that in Ukraine itself, air raids, shelling, and heavy fighting continue.

This does not negate the right to celebrate.

On the contrary, the ability to preserve culture, music, humor, and a sense of community becomes one of the forms of resistance to Russia’s attempt to portray Ukraine as a country without an independent history and identity.

NAnovosti — News of Israel continues to report on the events of the “Ukrainian community” in Israel, as such initiatives show: Ukraine is present in Israel not only in political statements and news about the war.

It is present in language, music, cuisine, charity, public projects, and the personal stories of thousands of people.

Date, address, and tickets

Event: “NEZALEZHNA 2026”
Occasion: 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence
Date: August 21, 2026
Place: CALLAS TLV
Address: Menachem Begin Road 37, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Format: Ukrainian party for the entire evening and until morning
Special guest: DJ LUMARE, Lviv

When purchasing a ticket, you can add 20 shekels. These funds will go towards funding discounted tickets for Ukrainian refugees in Israel due to the war. Ukrainian refugees wishing to receive a discounted ticket can contact the organizers. The initiative is in cooperation with ASSAF, an organization helping refugees and asylum seekers in Israel.

If you are serving mandatory service in Israel or have served in the reserves for more than 10 days this year, you are entitled to a free ticket. Contact the organizers for details. Part of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to support volunteer initiatives in Ukraine and the Ukrainian community in Israel.

Organizer – “Nezalezhna – Ukrainian Party“.

Organizers advise purchasing tickets in advance, as the number of places at the new venue is limited.

Tickets: https://selector.org.il/e/jK4ZMvUNqa-

On August 24, 2026, Ukraine will celebrate 35 years of independence…

 

American consent for the licensed production of Patriot missiles could become one of the most important decisions for Ukraine’s defense independence. However, between the political promise and the first missile rolling off the Ukrainian production line lie years of negotiations, technology transfer, factory construction, and the creation of a secure supply chain.

U.S. President Donald Trump, during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky at the NATO summit in Ankara, announced his readiness to grant Ukraine a license to produce ammunition for Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems.

For Ukraine, this statement has enormous strategic significance.

Patriot remains one of the few Western systems capable of effectively countering Russian ballistic missiles, including the Iskander-M, as well as aeroballistic missiles like the Kinzhal. This is why the shortage of interceptors has turned into not just a military problem but a matter of survival for Ukrainian cities.

But the German publication WELT points out the main drawback of the American proposal: a license does not mean that Ukraine will be able to start mass production of missiles in a few months.

According to experts, creating a full-fledged production line could take several years. In the initial stage, Ukraine will still have to rely on ready-made missiles stored in the U.S. and European allies’ warehouses.

What exactly did Trump promise

The meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump took place in Ankara on July 8, 2026.

The Office of the President of Ukraine reported that the parties discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, further military support, and decisions that could enhance Ukraine’s positions.

As early as July 6, Volodymyr Zelensky publicly stated that Ukraine is ready to produce Patriot missiles independently if the U.S. provides the necessary licenses. According to him, Ukrainian enterprises are capable of creating volumes sufficient not only for Ukraine’s defense but also to assist other partners.

However, Trump’s statement remains a political promise rather than a ready industrial contract.

The American president acknowledged that the issue has not yet been agreed upon with the companies involved in the production of various types of missiles for Patriot, primarily Lockheed Martin and RTX, which includes Raytheon.

This is fundamentally important.

The U.S. government can authorize the transfer of technology and export of the license, but the organization of production, transfer of documentation, certification of parts, and quality control must be carried out by the manufacturing companies.

Without their participation, the political decision will not turn into a working production line.

Patriot is not just one missile

When politicians talk about ‘Patriot missiles,’ it may create the impression that it is a single standard munition.

In reality, the system can employ several types of interceptors with different tasks.

PAC-2 GEM-T, produced by Raytheon, is primarily intended for destroying aircraft, cruise missiles, and some tactical ballistic threats.

PAC-3 MSE, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is a more modern and significantly more complex interceptor. It is primarily used against ballistic missiles and destroys the target through direct kinetic impact.

For Ukraine, the PAC-3 MSE is of particular importance, as the Russian army regularly uses ballistic missiles, against which the capabilities of most other air defense systems are limited.

Washington has not yet specified which interceptor license Ukraine might receive.

This issue could completely change the significance of the future agreement.

Production of PAC-2 GEM-T would allow Ukraine to increase its stockpile of missiles to combat cruise missiles and other aerial targets. Obtaining PAC-3 MSE technology would represent a qualitatively different level of cooperation — the transfer of one of the most sensitive American missile defense technologies.

Why the plant cannot be launched in a few months

Ukraine has proven capable of extremely quickly developing and scaling the production of drones, long-range missiles, and other weapons.

However, Patriot belongs to a different category of weapons.

It’s not about simply assembling a missile from several imported blocks.

To start production, it will be necessary to:

• conclude a licensing agreement;
• determine the list of technologies allowed for transfer;
• create a certified enterprise;
• install specialized American equipment;
• train personnel;
• organize the production or import of components;
• create a quality control system;
• ensure the physical protection of the enterprise;
• conduct tests and certification of finished missiles.

An interceptor missile must detect, calculate the trajectory, and destroy another missile in the air at tremendous speed. An error in software, electronics, engine, or guidance system could mean not just the loss of an expensive munition but the destruction of the city it was supposed to protect.

Therefore, production processes in this industry are strictly controlled, and each component undergoes multi-stage verification.

German missile analyst Markus Schiller emphasized in a comment to WELT that creating such production is significantly more complex than it might seem after political statements.

Even countries with developed industries and decades of cooperation with the U.S. have launched licensed lines over the years.

Experience of Japan and Germany

Japan is cited as one example.

The country has a powerful high-tech industry, a close military-political alliance with the U.S., and extensive experience in licensed production of American weapons. However, deploying Patriot missile production there took about five years.

Germany also could not instantly launch a new European line.

Back in 2024, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain agreed to purchase up to 1,000 GEM-T missiles. For their production, a joint company COMLOG, owned by Raytheon and MBDA Deutschland, is being established.

Production at the German site is expected to begin at the end of 2026, but serial deliveries are expected later. Previously, the main delivery period was named as 2027–2033.

Even in Germany, the plant is being built on NATO territory, far from the immediate combat zone.

The Ukrainian enterprise will have to be created under the constant threat of Russian missile and drone attacks.

Russia will try to destroy the production

The location of the Patriot plant will become one of Ukraine’s most closely guarded state secrets.

Russia is likely to use satellite reconnaissance, espionage, cyberattacks, and airstrikes to detect and destroy the enterprise even before the start of serial production.

Therefore, the most realistic option may be not one large plant but a distributed production model.

Separate components may be produced at several enterprises in different regions of Ukraine or beyond its borders. Final assembly may also be divided among several sites.

Another option is the creation of a Ukrainian-American production in one of the NATO countries with subsequent transfer of finished missiles to Ukraine.

This model is already used in the Ukrainian defense industry. Some types of Ukrainian weapons are produced jointly with European partners at enterprises protected by NATO territory.

However, in this case, Ukraine will not receive a fully independent production chain on its territory.

Global shortage of Patriot

The main problem is not only the absence of a Ukrainian plant.

There is a physical shortage of Patriot missiles for everyone.

Demand sharply increased after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the escalation of threats in the Middle East, and the massive use of ballistic missiles by Iran and its allies.

In 2025, Lockheed Martin delivered over 600 PAC-3 MSE missiles. This was a record figure and approximately 20% higher than the previous year’s production.

In January 2026, the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin agreed on a long-term program to increase annual production capacity from approximately 600 to 2,000 missiles.

But achieving this figure will take several years. The company must build new lines, expand its supplier network, and increase production of engines, electronics, and other critical components.

Even with a threefold increase in production, the U.S. will have to distribute missiles between its own army and numerous allies.

Patriot is used by Germany, Poland, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and other countries.

At the same time, the decision on who and when will receive the produced missiles is made by the American government, not Lockheed Martin itself.

In June 2026, the company acknowledged that it could not guarantee allies specific delivery times for PAC-3 MSE due to the global shortage and Washington’s decisions on distribution priorities.

Why Ukraine needs missiles now

Creating its own production can solve the strategic problem in a few years.

But Russian missiles are flying over Ukrainian cities today.

Therefore, a license cannot replace immediate deliveries of ready interceptors.

Until the Ukrainian line is launched, Kyiv will have to continue seeking the transfer of missiles from U.S. and European warehouses, as well as asking allies to temporarily give up their places in the production queue for Ukraine.

This is where the main political question arises.

Western states recognize that Ukraine is defending not only itself but the entire European security system. However, many governments simultaneously fear reducing their own missile defense stocks.

After new wars and crises in the Middle East, this competition has become even tougher.

NAnews — Israel News notes that the shortage of interceptors affects not only Ukraine.

Israel’s experience shows how quickly air and missile defense missiles can be expended during massive combined attacks.

Even a high-tech air defense system depends not only on radars and launchers but also on a constant flow of expensive munitions.

Therefore, the Ukrainian idea of producing Patriot is part of a broader process: Western states are beginning to realize that existing factories and pre-war production volumes do not match the reality of modern missile wars.

What Ukraine can get in the first stage

Most likely, cooperation will develop gradually.

First, a center for the repair and maintenance of Patriot missiles may appear in Ukraine or one of the neighboring countries.

The U.S. is already discussing the creation of a European PAC-3 service center with Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Such a site should reduce the time needed to send missiles for repair to the United States.

The next step could be the production of individual components.

Ukrainian enterprises are capable of producing casings, mechanical parts, ground equipment elements, and some electronic systems under the control of the American manufacturer.

Then local assembly of missiles from kits produced in the U.S. and Europe is possible.

And only after that can deep localization begin, including the manufacture of key elements directly by Ukrainian enterprises.

This sequence looks slower than loud political promises, but this is how complex defense productions are usually created.

Why the license is still a breakthrough

Long terms do not mean that the decision is insignificant.

Until now, Ukraine was almost entirely dependent on the political will of partners. Each batch of missiles required separate negotiations, funding, and decisions by American authorities.

Own or joint production will gradually change this model.

Ukraine will be able to plan stocks for years ahead, train specialists, repair missiles closer to their place of use, and integrate into the Western defense industry not only as a recipient of aid but also as a manufacturer.

Moreover, Ukrainian enterprises have unique experience in operating air defense systems in conditions of constant war.

No NATO country faces such a number of combined attacks with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.

This experience can be used to upgrade missiles, improve software, and create new air defense systems.

Volodymyr Zelensky claims that Ukrainian enterprises, after receiving licenses, are capable of meeting not only their own needs but also helping partners.

Today, this statement looks ambitious. But the Ukrainian industry has already shown how quickly it can transition from small experimental batches of drones to mass production of millions of devices.

A solution for the future does not cancel responsibility today

An American license could become the foundation of Ukrainian missile defense in the next decade.

However, it will not protect Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, or Odesa tonight.

Between the promise and the first serial missile, there remains a dangerous time gap.

This can only be filled by transferring existing interceptors to Ukraine, increasing production in the US and Europe, joint purchases by allies, and creating a transparent system of priorities.

Ukraine has the necessary enterprises, engineers, and military experience.

The United States controls the technologies.

Europe has the funding and territories where part of the production can be more safely located.

Combining these capabilities can transform Ukraine from a dependent recipient of missiles into one of the centers of European missile defense.

But for this, Donald Trump’s political statement must turn into signed contracts, a specific list of transferred technologies, funding, and an approved construction schedule.

NAnews — News of Israel emphasizes: the Patriot license is not a ready-made missile and not an immediately closed Ukrainian sky.

It is a chance to build a system where, in a few years, the security of Ukrainian cities will depend not on the next political decision across the ocean, but on a constantly operating production line.

That is why Ukraine simultaneously needs two solutions: ready-made missiles — today and its own production — for the future.

Israel has provided the United States with new intelligence data, which, according to the Israeli side, indicates Iran’s preparation of another plan to assassinate US President Donald Trump. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal on July 9, 2026, citing people familiar with the contents of the warning.

Public evidence of the existence of a new conspiracy has not yet been presented. The names of the alleged organizers, the possible location of the assassination, the method of its execution, and the readiness of the perpetrators have not been disclosed. However, the message cannot be considered an isolated rumor: in recent years, American law enforcement agencies have indeed uncovered several Iran-related plans to assassinate Trump, former US officials, American citizens, and Israelis.

The new information emerged amid a sharp escalation between Washington and Tehran, the resumption of American strikes on Iran, and the Iranian regime’s longstanding promises to avenge Trump for the elimination of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani.

What Israel reported to the United States

According to The Wall Street Journal, Israel recently shared intelligence information with the American side about a new Iranian plan to physically eliminate Donald Trump.

Sources of the publication claim that this information was not previously in the field of view of American intelligence services in this form and is now being verified by US authorities. The White House did not comment in detail on the content of the intelligence and referred journalists to recent public statements by the president himself. The Israeli embassy and the Iranian mission to the UN also did not provide substantive comments.

It is fundamentally important that WSJ reports specifically on the assessment provided by Israel. It is currently impossible to independently confirm whether it is a developed operational plan, preliminary discussions within Iranian structures, or an intelligence signal that still requires additional verification.

There is also no report of the detention of alleged participants in the new conspiracy.

Nevertheless, Washington has reasons to take the warning seriously. The US Department of Justice previously published materials of criminal cases in which representatives or individuals associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attempted to organize political assassinations on US soil.

Trump spoke about the threat on July 8 in Ankara

A day before the WSJ publication, on July 8, 2026, Donald Trump raised the issue of threats to his life during a conversation with journalists at the NATO summit in Ankara.

The US president stated that he is the top target of the Iranian leadership:

“They want to eliminate the leader of the United States — me. I am on all their lists. This morning I saw that I am literally on every one of them. So far, I think I’ve been a bit lucky, but this may not last very long.”

The fact of Trump’s speech in Ankara and his statement that he is Iran’s main target is confirmed by materials from American media and photographs from the Associated Press at the president’s press conference on July 8.

Publicly, Trump did not specify which lists he was shown in the morning and whether his words were directly related to the new intelligence information received from Israel.

It was also reported that during the return from Turkey, additional security measures were taken, including changing the plane used by the president. However, the White House did not publish an official detailed explanation of these decisions.

Why Iran considers Trump a personal target

The main reason for the longstanding threats remains the American operation against General Qasem Soleimani.

On the night of January 3, 2020, an American drone strike in the area of Baghdad International Airport killed Soleimani, who led the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the deputy head of the Iraqi Shiite militia Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

The operation was carried out on the orders of Donald Trump during his first presidential term.

The Pentagon stated that Soleimani was developing plans for attacks on American diplomats and military personnel in Iraq and other countries in the region. The US Department of Defense called the strike’s goal the prevention of future Iranian attacks.

Tehran, for its part, declared Soleimani’s elimination a crime and promised to punish those involved in the decision. After that, threats were made not only against Trump but also against former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Security Advisor John Bolton, and other representatives of Trump’s first administration.

Thus, it is not just political rhetoric that arose during a new round of war. The Iranian campaign of revenge has been ongoing since January 2020 and has already become the subject of specific criminal investigations in the US.

The Trump assassination plan revealed in 2024

One of the most serious episodes was made public by the US Department of Justice on November 8, 2024.

American authorities charged Iranian citizen Farhad Shakeri and two New York residents — Carlisle Rivera and Jonathan Loadholt.

According to the case materials, Shakeri informed law enforcement officers that on October 7, 2024, an IRGC representative instructed him to develop a plan to assassinate Donald Trump.

The US Department of Justice claimed that Shakeri was supposed to present the corresponding plan within a set timeframe. The accused himself told investigators that he did not intend to fulfill the assignment within the given deadlines. He remained in Iran and was not arrested.

American investigators also stated that Shakeri received assignments to surveil two American Jews in New York. Allegedly, $500,000 was offered for the murder of one of them. Additionally, the case materials mentioned a possible attack on Israeli tourists in Sri Lanka.

However, the charge does not automatically mean proven guilt of all the defendants, and part of the information was based on Shakeri’s own testimony. But the case confirms that American authorities officially considered the Iranian plan to assassinate Trump as a concrete threat back in 2024, not just a propaganda statement.

Iranian operative and plan for political assassinations in the US

Another case is related to Pakistani Asif Merchant, whom American authorities called a trained operative working in the interests of the IRGC.

In April 2024, Merchant arrived in the United States, and in June, he met with people he believed to be hired killers. In reality, they were cooperating with American law enforcement agencies.

According to the indictment, Merchant discussed political assassinations on US soil. He was arrested in July 2024 before leaving the country, and on March 6, 2026, a federal jury in Brooklyn found him guilty of organizing murder for hire and attempting to commit a transnational terrorist act.

The case materials initially did not name a single specific target. American media reported that Donald Trump and Joe Biden were among the possible targets.

This case demonstrates a scheme that American intelligence services consider characteristic of Iranian operations: a middleman arrives in the US, seeks executors among local criminal circles, discusses surveillance of the target, and transfers money without revealing the role of Iranian state structures to all participants.

Attempt on John Bolton for $300,000

Long before the Shakeri and Merchant cases, American authorities uncovered a plan to assassinate former Trump National Security Advisor John Bolton.

On August 10, 2022, the US Department of Justice announced charges against Iranian Shahram Poursafi, whom they called a member of the IRGC.

According to the investigation, since October 2021, Poursafi attempted to hire someone to kill Bolton in Washington or Maryland. The proposed reward increased from $250,000 to $300,000.

American authorities believed that the alleged murder was intended as revenge for Soleimani’s elimination. Poursafi also mentioned another assignment worth one million dollars.

The investigation established that the organizer provided the alleged executor with the address of Bolton’s office, information about his schedule, and demanded to expedite the preparation of the attack. Poursafi remained in Iran.

This episode is particularly important for understanding the current warning from Israel: American agencies have already documented attempts by individuals associated with the IRGC to translate threats of revenge for Soleimani into a practical operation on US soil.

The threat concerns not only American politicians

Materials from the US Department of Justice show that Iran’s potential targets are not limited to Trump and members of his administration.

In recent years’ investigations, the following were mentioned:

• American officials;
• Iranian opposition members in exile;
• journalists;
• American citizens of Jewish descent;
• Israeli tourists abroad.

In January 2026, a US court sentenced Carlisle Rivera to 15 years in prison for participating in a plan to kill Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad. According to the Department of Justice, group members conducted surveillance, discussed weapons, and attempted to determine a convenient time for the attack.

Therefore, the new information from Israel may be part of a broader picture: Tehran is accused of using agents, intermediaries, and criminal executors to attack regime opponents in different countries.

Why Israel’s warning appeared now

The WSJ report was published during a new military escalation between the US and Iran.

On July 7–8, 2026, Washington and Tehran exchanged strikes again after attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz area and the de facto cessation of a brief truce.

Trump stated in Ankara that agreements with Iran are no longer in effect and warned of new American strikes. The American command reported attacks on Iranian military infrastructure, after which Iran launched retaliatory strikes on targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, where American troops are stationed.

In this situation, a possible assassination plan for the US president becomes not only a matter of Trump’s personal safety. It can influence Washington’s decision on the duration of the military operation, the scale of strikes, and the conditions of any future negotiations with Tehran.

For Israel, providing intelligence also has strategic significance. Jerusalem seeks to convince Washington that the Iranian threat does not end with missiles, the nuclear program, or attacks by regional proxies. It can be directed directly against the top leadership of the United States.

What remains unknown

As of July 10, 2026, it is impossible to establish from open sources:

• who exactly developed the alleged new plan;
• whether it was sanctioned by Iran’s top leadership;
• whether the alleged executors were in the US;
• whether a date or location for the attack was chosen;
• whether American services discovered independent confirmations;
• whether the plan is related to current US strikes on Iran or was developed earlier;
• whether specific attempts were made to approach the president.

The WSJ publication also does not mention new charges or arrests. Therefore, it is premature to assert that the assassination was already at the stage of direct execution.

Israel’s intelligence may change Washington’s decisions

The new warning appears at a time when relations between the US, Israel, and Iran are simultaneously defined by military strikes, negotiations, and mutual threats.

For Trump, the situation is personal. He sanctioned Soleimani’s elimination on January 3, 2020, and the Iranian regime has repeatedly named him as one of the main targets for retribution.

For Israel, this is an opportunity to once again show the American administration that Iran acts not only through the regular army, missiles, and controlled groups. There are also secret networks, intermediaries, and plans for political assassinations outside the Middle East.

NAnews — Israel News notes: so far, the public is only aware of the assessment of Israeli intelligence provided to the American side. The details of the new plan remain classified, and independent confirmation of its preparation stage is absent.

But previous US Department of Justice cases show that the threat is not purely rhetorical. Iranian agents and associated individuals have already been accused of attempting to organize assassinations of American officials, regime opponents, Jews, and Israelis.

The new signal from Israel could lead to increased security for the president, expanded cooperation between American and Israeli intelligence services, and a tougher stance by Washington towards Tehran.

The main question now is not only whether there was another plan to assassinate Trump, but also how far its alleged organizers managed to advance before Washington received the information.

 

The primary source is a special report by the State Comptroller of Israel, Matanyahu Engelman, titled “ההתמודדות הלאומית עם השפעה זרה במרחב הדיגיטלי” (“National Counteraction to Foreign Influence in the Digital Space”), published on July 7, 2026 in the official publication library of the Office of the State Comptroller and Ombudsman of Israel.

This document is important not only for intelligence agencies, lawyers, or cybersecurity specialists.

It is important for every Israeli who reads news on their phone, receives messages on WhatsApp, argues on Facebook, watches short videos, forwards “urgent warnings” to relatives, or sees an account on X that looks like an ordinary Israeli resident.

The report shows: the digital space has become a full-fledged front.

Iran is identified as a direct and specific source of threat through influence campaigns, false messages, attempts to incite panic, and affect the perception of war.

Russia in this article should be considered differently: not as a separate detailed case of the report, but as part of the same category of foreign state actors from which Israel must build protection. The main conclusion of the State Comptroller is precisely this: Israel has seen the threat of foreign influence in the digital space for almost nine years but has not created a national system capable of countering such operations as a class of threats.

Foreign influence is no longer just “fakes,” but a threat to the state.

The State Comptroller’s report does not talk about random mistakes on social networks or everyday rumors.

It is about covert and organized activities of foreign players who use digital platforms to harm Israel’s national interests.

This may include disinformation, fake accounts, bots, fake identities, manipulative campaigns, artificial promotion of topics, spreading panic, and increasingly active use of artificial intelligence.

The goal of such actions is not just to spread lies.

The goal is to influence public opinion, deepen internal divisions, reduce trust in state institutions, and affect democratic processes, especially during war, crisis, and elections.

For Israel, this is especially dangerous.

The country simultaneously lives in a state of war, debates about hostages, the army, responsibility for October 7, relations with the USA, political future, the 2026 elections, Ukraine, Russia, and Iran.

A foreign player does not need to create a split from scratch.

It is enough to take an existing pain and amplify it.

Fear turns into panic.

Political debate turns into hatred.

Distrust of a single official turns into distrust of the entire state.

War fatigue turns into demoralization.

And a foreign policy issue becomes a convenient tool for those who want to weaken Israel’s ties with allies and confuse society with foreign narratives.

NANews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency points out: the State Comptroller’s report is important precisely because it translates the topic of social networks from the category of “internet noise” to the category of national security.

Iran is named directly: SMS panic, “Hezbollah,” and the war for perception.

The Iranian direction in the report is revealed most specifically.

One of the most illustrative episodes is the mass sending of false SMS to Israelis.

In September 2024, about 5 million messages were sent to Israeli citizens. They urged people to immediately enter a protected space. Some messages looked as if they were sent on behalf of official structures, including the Home Front Command. Following an investigation by the National Cyber Directorate, it was stated that Iran and “Hezbollah” were behind the distribution.

This is not just disinformation.

This is a psychological attack.

A person receives an “urgent warning,” gets scared, wakes up the children, calls relatives, forwards the message further. Even if it turns out a few minutes later that the alarm is false, the effect has already been achieved: fear is spread, trust is undermined, society becomes even more tense.

This is what a modern influence attack looks like.

It may not physically destroy a house.

But it hits the nervous system of society.

The report also mentions campaigns related to the “Iron Swords” war. Already in the first days after October 7, an Iranian campaign was identified, trying to establish an accusatory narrative against Israel in the digital space, including the topic of “genocide in Gaza.”

This is an important detail.

The war is not only for territory and not only for military results.

The war is for the language with which the world describes events.

If an external player imposes words, emotions, and explanations of what is happening on society, they are already beginning to control the perception of reality.

The “Isnad” network: thousands of messages and hundreds of fake profiles.

One of the central cases of the report is the foreign influence network “Isnad”.

According to the data presented in the report materials, this network operated in 2024 and tried to influence Israeli public opinion by promoting the cessation of the war in Gaza on terms favorable to Hamas.

From December 2023 to August 2024, thousands of messages were prepared as part of this campaign.

Between 300 to 1000 fake profiles operated on X.

This is no longer one propagandist and not one Telegram channel.

This is a network.

It creates the artificial impression that a certain position is massively coming from within Israeli society itself.

One account writes.

Others pick it up.

Thirds argue.

Fourths spread it further.

Then real people, journalists, activists, families of hostages, politicians, and protest participants see it.

At some point, a foreign operation begins to look like “public sentiment.”

This is where the danger lies.

An Israeli thinks they are arguing with a neighbor.

But they may be arguing with part of a foreign campaign.

Where is Russia here?

To be factually accurate, it is important to say directly: the State Comptroller’s report does not build a separate large chapter on the Russian operation against Israel.

But that does not mean the Russian direction should be excluded.

On the contrary.

The main conclusion of the report is that Israel has not built protection against foreign influence as a phenomenon. It is not just about one enemy and not just about one campaign. It is about the ability of foreign states and external structures to use social networks, bots, fake identities, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms to pressure Israeli society.

Iran, Russia, and other external players fall into this framework.

Iran is shown in the report through specific cases: SMS, “Hezbollah,” campaigns around the war, “Isnad,” pressure on the perception of events.

Russia should be named as part of the same external threat because for Israel, the problem is not limited to one Iranian campaign. The state must have a system capable of responding to any foreign digital operation — Iranian, Russian, Islamist, or otherwise.

This is especially important for the Russian-speaking audience in Israel.

The Russian propaganda environment has been working for years with topics of Ukraine, the West, the USA, democracy, war, and trust in institutions. In Israel, these topics intersect with internal politics, security, and the issue of foreign alliances.

This is how Russia and Iran should stand side by side — not as equally detailed cases of the report, but as two external directions against which the state needs unified protection.

The state knew about the threat since 2017.

The most alarming part of the report is not the fake campaigns themselves.

They are expected.

Iran will try to pressure Israel.

Hamas will try to influence the war agenda.

“Hezbollah” will use citizens’ fear.

Russia and other external players will look for weak spots in Israeli society.

The most alarming is something else: the state knew about the threat for a long time but did not create a full-fledged response system.

According to the report, since 2017 various Israeli structures have already pointed to the threat of foreign influence in the digital space and the need for an interagency response. Among them are the Shin Bet, the National Security Council, the National Cyber Directorate, and other structures. However, initiatives that were supposed to turn into national policy were not brought to a working system.

By March 2026, almost nine years after the threat was identified, Israel still does not have:

• a unified national policy against foreign influence;
• a state body that conducts interagency work;
• an approved permanent mechanism;
• sufficient coordination between structures;
• a clear system of interaction with digital platforms;
• a clear channel for messages from civil society;
• full preparation of the population to recognize fakes, bots, and manipulations.

The State Comptroller essentially describes a recurring pattern: the threat is raised on the agenda, structures begin discussions, initiatives appear, but then the work does not turn into mandatory national policy.

For Israel, this sounds especially strange.

The country knows how to intercept missiles.

The country knows how to build cyber defense.

The country knows how to work in the most complex intelligence environment.

But in the sphere of foreign influence on social networks, the state system turned out to be fragmented and delayed.

There was an action plan, but it was not advanced.

After the start of the “Iron Swords” war, the National Cyber Directorate indicated that the Israeli audience is the target of influence and disinformation efforts.

In August 2024, the head of the Cyber Directorate presented the threat of foreign influence in the digital space to the Prime Minister.

In September 2024, an action program was submitted.

But, according to the report, this program was not considered for a long time. Only after the appeal of the State Comptroller’s office was it submitted for consideration by the National Security Council. At the same time, the necessary resources and practical implementation remained a problem.

That is, the state had a threat.

Had understanding.

Had a prepared program.

But did not turn it into a working mechanism.

And this happened not in a calm time, but after October 7, during the war, when digital influence operations became part of the overall picture of pressure on Israel.

The 2026 elections — the most sensitive point.

A separate block of the report concerns the elections.

Israel is approaching the 2026 elections in a state of severe internal tension.

Society is debating war, hostages, the responsibility of politicians and security forces, relations with allies, the judicial system, the economy, security, and the future of the country.

Such periods are most convenient for foreign influence campaigns.

The State Comptroller warns that the election period could become a “fertile ground” for attempts to influence the agenda, perception of reality, and decision-making. The potential damage could reach the point of undermining public trust in election results and the democratic process.

The Central Election Commission has identified several risk scenarios.

The first is a blow to public trust in the electoral system, for example, through reports of alleged fraud.

The second is creating chaos on election day, for example, through false publications that elections are canceled or a specific polling station is closed.

The third is deceiving voters through fake information about candidates, including deepfakes and reports that a candidate has allegedly withdrawn from the elections.

This is no longer fiction.

These are scenarios that state structures consider real.

That is why the issue of foreign influence before elections is not a technical topic.

It is a matter of sovereignty.

If a citizen stops trusting elections, the voting result, the commission, the vote count, and the democratic process itself, an external player has already achieved a strategic effect.

Even if not a single ballot was changed.

Artificial intelligence accelerates the threat.

The report separately warns about the role of artificial intelligence.

AI allows for the rapid creation of convincing texts, images, audio, video, and fake personalities.

It helps overcome language and cultural barriers, imitate real people, scale campaigns, and complicate the detection of foreign networks.

Previously, a foreign operation needed people, editors, translators, time, and money.

Now you can quickly create an “Israeli” with good Hebrew, a photo, a history, political views, and emotional posts.

You can make a fake video.

You can launch a fake news story.

You can imitate a local discussion.

You can create a sense of mass outrage.

And then social media algorithms themselves help spread conflict content because fear, hatred, scandal, and anxiety get more attention.

For Iran, this is an opportunity to attack Israelis not only with missiles and proxies but also through the phone.

For Russia and other foreign players, this is an opportunity to work with the Israeli agenda through distrust, polarization, foreign policy fears, and manipulations around Ukraine, the USA, Europe, and security.

There is no single responsible party — which means there is no full protection.

The report shows: in Israel, there is no single “owner” of this topic.

There is the Shin Bet.

There is the National Cyber Directorate.

There is the National Security Council.

There is the Ministry of Justice.

There is the Central Election Commission.

There is the Prime Minister’s Office.

There are structures that work with digital platforms.

But there is no single body that holds the whole picture, is responsible for strategy, coordinates departments, works with civil society, interacts with platforms, and has an approved budget.

The State Comptroller’s audit was conducted from July 2024 to January 2026 and covered, among other things, the National Security Council, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Shin Bet, the National Cyber Directorate, the Central Election Commission, and the cyber division of the prosecutor’s office. Some findings were classified for security reasons.

This is an important detail.

The problem is not in one weak department.

The problem is systemic.

The state sees the threat, but the response remains fragmented.

A citizen sees a suspicious account but does not always understand where to report it.

A public organization may identify a network, but there is no transparent channel through which the state systematically receives and processes such information.

Platforms remove some content, but the state does not always have a sufficient picture to assess the effectiveness of this work.

As a result, the Israeli is left alone with a digital influence operation.

He receives a message.

He sees a post.

He forwards an alarming “news”.

He argues with a fake account.

He gets angry, afraid, loses trust.

And the state system is still deciding who should be in charge.

What needs to change

The State Comptroller’s report essentially demands that Israel move from random reaction to a permanent system.

A unified national policy against foreign influence is needed.

A central body is needed to coordinate the fight against this threat.

An approved budget is needed.

Constant work with digital platforms is needed.

A channel is needed for reports from citizens, journalists, researchers, and civil society organizations.

More data on content removal requests needs to be published so that society understands the scale of the problem.

Educational work is needed — not only for adults but also for schoolchildren.

Because digital literacy today is not an additional skill.

It is part of civil security.

An Israeli must understand that a fake account can look like a real neighbor.

That a false SMS can be part of an enemy campaign.

That a video can be generated.

That “mass public opinion” is sometimes created by hundreds of artificial profiles.

That a foreign operation does not always speak a foreign language.

Sometimes it speaks good Hebrew.

Sometimes in Russian.

Sometimes in Arabic.

Sometimes in English.

Sometimes in exactly the language a person trusts the most.

Conclusion

The State Comptroller’s report shows: Israel is not facing a future threat, but an already active front.

On this front, Iran acts directly and aggressively — through influence campaigns, false SMS, “Hezbollah”, fake narratives, and attempts to sow panic.

Russia should be considered part of a broader category of foreign players against which Israel must build defense: states using digital space to pressure democratic societies, divide alliances, undermine trust, and promote a favorable worldview.

The main problem is not that Israel’s enemies are trying to influence Israelis.

This is expected.

The main problem is that Israel has known about the threat for almost nine years but still has not created a full-fledged protection system.

A missile is visible on the radar.

A fake account is more difficult.

But sometimes it is the first to launch panic, discord, and distrust.

And if the state does not learn to protect citizens in the digital space, the next attack may start not with a siren, but with a message that someone forwarded in a family WhatsApp.

 

Donald Trump once again did something that was heard particularly painfully in Israel: he publicly praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called him a strong leader, and essentially presented himself as the person who prevented Ankara from entering the war on the side of Israel’s opponents.

These words did not sound in a vacuum.

They appeared against the backdrop of the NATO summit in Ankara, taking place on July 7–8, 2026, in Turkey. According to NATO, the meeting of heads of state and government of alliance countries and key partners is being held in Ankara, and the summit’s symbolism is associated with the Beştepe presidential complex, where the main venue is organized. For Turkey, this is not just a diplomatic event but a demonstration of status: Ankara is hosting NATO leaders while simultaneously trying to regain access to American F-35 fighters.

For Israel, this story became a worrying signal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had tried in advance to convince Washington not to return Turkey to the F-35 program and not to transfer technologies to Ankara that could change the military balance in the Middle East. But Trump in Ankara spoke a completely different language.

“He didn’t go because of me”: what exactly Trump said

At a meeting with Erdogan in Ankara, Trump stated that Turkey could have chosen “the other side” in the war but did not. According to him, Ankara knows Iran well and understands the problems associated with it.

“Turkey could have chosen the other side. They know Iran very well. And they know the problems associated with Iran. They could have entered the fight. You hear people talking about their relations with Israel. They could have entered the fight. This is a country with a very large military force. And they didn’t. Maybe they didn’t because of me. But they certainly could have joined the other side,” Trump said.

In another part of his speech, he turned to Erdogan personally.

“I like President Erdogan. He gave me a ceremonial reception. He’s amazing,” Trump said.

Then he directly linked the Turkish leader’s position with Israel and Netanyahu.

“I said he could have gone to war because he doesn’t really like Israel and doesn’t really like Bibi,” Trump said.

According to Trump, Erdogan “didn’t go” to war precisely because of him.

“He didn’t go because of me. He would have gone if it weren’t for me. He would have gone, and it would have been on the other side,” the US president stated.

This is an important formulation. Trump not only praised Erdogan. He publicly said that the Turkish president could potentially have ended up on the side opposite to Israel but was allegedly stopped by the personal influence of the US president.

In the Israeli context, such a phrase sounds like a warning: if Israel’s security depends not on a clear ally strategy but on Trump’s personal relations with Erdogan, then the room for error increases sharply.

June episode: Trump had already spoken about Erdogan and Iran

The current story did not begin on July 7.

As early as June 24, 2026, at the White House, Trump had already told journalists that Erdogan was “the main candidate” for entering the war with Iran, “possibly on Iran’s side,” because “he’s not a big fan of Israel.”

“I asked him to stay out. He stayed out,” Trump said then in the Oval Office.

At the same time, he added: “Erdogan is a great leader, a very strong man. Everything I ever asked him to do, he did.”

These words were said even before the NATO summit in Ankara, but it was in Ankara that they received continuation. Now Trump was already speaking next to the Turkish leader, against the backdrop of talks about lifting sanctions from Turkey and possibly returning Ankara to the F-35 program.

So this is not a solitary phrase.

This is a line.

Trump portrays Erdogan as a strong ally who can be held by personal agreements. Netanyahu, on the contrary, tries to portray Erdogan as a threat to Israel and the region.

What Netanyahu said and why he opposed F-35 for Turkey

On July 6, 2026, a day before the NATO summit in Ankara, Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Fox News and publicly warned: Turkey should not receive F-35s or engines for its fighters.

The Israeli Prime Minister stated that the transfer of such systems to Turkey could “disrupt the balance of power in the Middle East.” According to him, this balance largely relies on Israeli air superiority and the American military position in the region.

Netanyahu used extremely harsh formulations. He said that Turkey is governed by a person who “openly calls for the destruction of Israel,” threatens Greece, talks about conquering Jerusalem, and Turkish officials allow themselves statements questioning the very existence of the Jewish state.

In the interview, Netanyahu also called Erdogan’s regime “infected with the Muslim Brotherhood” and reminded of Ankara’s support for Hamas.

This position of Israel is understandable.

The F-35 is not an ordinary aircraft. It is a technology that changes the quality of the air force of the country gaining access to the platform. If Turkey returns to the F-35 program, Israel gets not just a new competitor in the air but potentially a hostile regional force with American stealth technology.

Sanctions, S-400, and the question to the US Congress

The F-35 problem for Turkey did not arise yesterday.

In 2019, Turkey received Russian S-400 air defense systems. After that, Washington excluded Ankara from the F-35 program, and in 2020 imposed sanctions under the CAATSA law — Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.

The American logic was simple: a country that possesses the Russian S-400 system cannot simultaneously receive the F-35 because it creates a risk for the aircraft’s secret technologies and could give Russia access to critically important data.

But on July 7, 2026, in Ankara, Trump said that the US would lift sanctions from Turkey.

“We are going to lift the sanctions,” he told journalists.

Answering a question about the possible sale of F-35s to Turkey, Trump said: “This is a decision we will make.” He also called the F-35 “a great plane” and “the best plane to date.”

Erdogan, for his part, expressed hope for a “favorable decision” on the F-35 and reminded that Turkey had previously been promised five planes.

American officials are also involved in the discussion. Trump said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth are working on the issue. Earlier, Vice President J.D. Vance said that there are requirements of American law and the role of Congress in this matter.

It is Congress that can now become the main obstacle to the deal.

On July 8, 2026, American lawmakers began publicly arguing about Trump’s plans. Republican Mike Lawler stated that the sale of one of the most advanced American planes to Turkey “does not meet US interests,” risks compromising critical technologies, and sends the wrong signal to allies in Europe and the Middle East.

Democrat Brad Sherman called the possible lifting of sanctions “a deep mistake” and stated that Turkey’s return to the F-35 program would effectively mean handing over the “blueprints” of American technology to Vladimir Putin.

At the same time, not everyone in Washington is categorically against it. Senator Jeanne Shaheen said that if an acceptable way to solve the S-400 problem is found, Turkey’s return to the F-35 program could be a positive development for Ankara and Washington. Senator Mike Rounds also said that Turkey is a major contributor to NATO and could be important for deterring Russia in Europe.

So within the US, there is already a struggle not only for the planes but also for who determines American strategy: the White House, Congress, or Trump’s personal diplomacy.

Why this is important for Israel

For Israel, this story is dangerous not only because of the F-35.

Much more important is the political signal.

Trump publicly placed personal relations with Erdogan at the center of regional security discussions. He did not say that Turkey is reliable because its policy aligns with Israel’s interests. He said something else: Erdogan could have entered the war because “he doesn’t really like Israel” and “doesn’t really like Bibi,” but didn’t do so because of Trump.

This is a completely different level of risk.

NANews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency draws attention to this very point: Israel in such a scheme becomes not an independent strategic ally but part of a personal bargain between Washington, Ankara, and regional players. Today Trump says he held Erdogan back. Tomorrow the question will be what price the US is willing to pay to keep Turkey “on the right side.”

Turkey, meanwhile, has a strong negotiating position.

NATO emphasized back in 2024 that Turkey has the second-largest army in the alliance and spends more than 2% of GDP on defense. In 2026, the NATO summit is being held in Ankara. Turkey presents itself as an indispensable flank of the alliance, as a military power, as a mediator, and as a country without which it is difficult to solve issues of Ukraine, the Black Sea, Syria, Iran, and the eastern Mediterranean.

Trump acknowledges this role.

He directly said that Turkey is a “military power” with “millions of soldiers,” that it is “very strong” and has “a lot of our best equipment.”

Even if the words about “millions of soldiers” sound like political exaggeration, the meaning is clear: Trump sees Turkey as a heavyweight player that is more advantageous to keep close than to push away.

What is happening with Israeli influence in Washington

Israel is used to its arguments on regional security issues being perceived as a priority in Washington. But the episode with Turkey shows that this is no longer guaranteed.

Netanyahu warns about Hamas, Jerusalem, Greece, Cyprus, the “Muslim Brotherhood,” and the balance of power. Trump responds with praise for Erdogan, talks about the “red carpet,” about a strong leader, about lifting sanctions, and about Turkey being “more loyal” than some other countries.

This gap is where the main news lies.

It’s not just about planes.

It’s about Washington potentially starting to view Turkey not through the Israeli lens but through its own interests: NATO, Iran, Syria, the Black Sea, Russia, the defense industry, and Trump’s personal agreements.

For Israel, this means the need to revise its diplomatic strategy. It’s not enough to just say in Washington that Erdogan is dangerous. It is necessary to prove what specific consequences the region will face if Turkey returns to the F-35, retains the S-400, continues to support Hamas, and simultaneously becomes a “special partner” for the US within NATO.

Main conclusion

Trump’s words about Erdogan have become one of the most candid signals in recent months.

The US president essentially acknowledged: the Turkish leader does not like Israel, does not like Netanyahu, and could have ended up “on the other side” of the war. But instead of calling it a threat, Trump presented the situation as his own diplomatic victory.

For Israel, this is a troubling logic.

If Erdogan was indeed so close to entering the conflict, as Trump claims, then the question should be not “what a strong leader he is,” but “why was a NATO ally even considered as a potential side against Israel.”

If Turkey was not actually preparing to enter the war, then Trump is simply using the image of a dangerous Erdogan to justify a future deal: I held him back, so now we can talk about F-35s and sanctions.

In both cases, Israel has reason to worry.

Ankara received the NATO summit, the red carpet for Trump, talks about lifting sanctions, and a chance to return to the F-35 program.

Netanyahu received a public reminder that even Israel’s closest ally might consider Erdogan not a threat but a partner for a deal.

This is what makes the story around Ankara on July 7–8, 2026, much broader than a usual dispute about planes.

It’s a dispute about who today sets the rules of the game around Israel.

Ukraine dedicated the years 2025–2026 to Shmuel Yosef Agnon. Exhibitions, conferences, and expeditions will revive memory and strengthen cultural ties with Israel.

Agnon and His Ukrainian Roots

Shmuel Yosef Agnon, born in Buchach, became the first Israeli writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. His books are filled with the atmosphere of Ukrainian shtetls, Jewish traditions, and personal memories of childhood. For Ukraine and Israel, his legacy is more than literature. It is a link between two cultures, two peoples, two histories.

The organizers of the “Year of Agnon” emphasize that now, during times of war and trials, it is important to remember those who built bridges between peoples.

“Agnon was the voice of memory. His words connect the broken and give birth to hope,” note the project curators.

His work is a combination of Jewish tradition, biblical and Talmudic motifs with images of Eastern European shtetls and contemporary Israel.

Main Works of Agnon

• “The Inn” (“הָאִשָּׁה וְהַבֵּית”) — an early story about life in a Jewish shtetl.
• “The Unfaithful Husband” (“עִם הָאִשָּׁה”) — a novel about the crisis of family and traditions.
• “She Just Stood There” (“עִם פְּנֵי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ”) — a poignant story about faith and suffering.
• “Only Yesterday” (“תְּמוֹל שִׁלְשׁוֹם”) — one of Agnon’s most famous novels: about a young immigrant from Galicia who came to build a new life in Eretz Israel.
• “The City and Its Fullness” (“עִיר וּמְלוֹאָה”) — a monumental chronicle of Buchach, with its joys, tragedies, and vanishing Jewish culture.
• “The Mandate” — a novel about the clash of personal fate and historical events.

Themes and Style

• Memories of childhood in Buchach and the atmosphere of Jewish shtetls.
• Combining Jewish religious texts and folklore with modern prose.
• The theme of exile and return, the search for home.
• Images of loss, destroyed homes, and memory.
• Existential questions: faith, doubt, the meaning of life.

Agnon wrote in Hebrew, but many of his works are based on the experience and memory of life in Ukraine. Therefore, his work is perceived as part of the common Jewish-Ukrainian cultural heritage.

Five Major Projects

1. Art Exhibition “Strange Homes”

In September 2025, an exhibition by Matvey Weisberg opened in Kyiv. The artist, through images of empty interiors and ruined facades, shows what the loss of home and break with the past meant for Agnon. The paintings raise questions: what do we lose along with homes, and can we regain what was lost?

2. Scientific Conference in Fall 2025

In November, a conference with Ukrainian and Israeli researchers will take place in Kyiv. Scholars will discuss how cultural heritage can influence identity formation and how Jewish and Ukrainian traditions have intersected over the centuries.

3. Project “Jerusalem — Kyiv from A to Z”

This is an exhibition built as a kind of alphabet: each letter symbolizes a concept, place, or image associated with the two capitals. The exhibition will first open in Kyiv and then move to Odesa, Lviv, and Chernivtsi, making the project both national and international.

4. Ethnographic Student Expedition

In spring 2026, students will travel to Buchach and Sataniv. There they will collect materials, study old archives, and listen to stories from local residents. Such an expedition is not just an educational process but a return of memory, a revival of what seemed lost forever.

5. Final Conference and Work Competition

In summer 2026, the project will conclude with a major conference. A student essay competition is planned, where young researchers will present their vision of the dialogue between Agnon and Ukrainian philosophical tradition. A separate block — “Israeli Readings,” dedicated to parallels between Agnon and Hryhorii Skovoroda.

Geography of the “Year of Agnon”

• Kyiv — the center of scientific and artistic initiatives.
• Odesa, Lviv, Chernivtsi — cities where local exhibitions will take place.
• Buchach and Sataniv — expedition sites where Agnon’s legacy can be felt literally at every step.

These cities symbolically connect the East and West of Ukraine, large cultural centers, and small towns.

What It Gives to Ukraine

• Restoration of memory about Jewish history in the Ukrainian context.
• Strengthening cultural dialogue with Israel and the global Jewish community.
• Development of youth initiatives and student involvement in exploring the past.
• Potential for cultural tourism and international contacts.

The Effect Is Broader Than It Seems

The project helps Ukraine assert itself as a country capable not only of defending itself in wartime but also of building new cultural bridges. It is a signal to Europe and Israel: Ukrainian identity is open, alive, and based on respect for diversity.

Short Biography of Shmuel Yosef Agnon

Shmuel Yosef Czaczkes, better known as Agnon, was born in 1888 in the city of Buchach (now Ternopil region, Ukraine) in the family of a rabbi and a fur trader. From an early age, he absorbed the atmosphere of Jewish tradition, listened to the stories of elders about shtetl life, and studied texts in Hebrew.

In 1908, he moved to Jaffa, in Eretz Israel, where he began publishing stories. He lived in Germany for some time, got married, wrote extensively, and participated in the literary life of Europe. In 1924, he returned to Jerusalem, where he lived until the end of his life. He wrote exclusively in Hebrew, creating a unique style — a combination of biblical language, Talmudic expressions, and vivid observations. His works are a bridge between the Jewish past of Eastern Europe and modern Israel.

In 1966, he became a laureate of the Nobel Prize in Literature, the first among Israeli writers. He died in Jerusalem in 1970, leaving a rich literary legacy.

Israeli Context

For Israelis of Ukrainian origin, the “Year of Agnon” is not just a cultural project. It is a reminder of roots, of the cities where their ancestors lived, and of the values that connect Ukrainians and Jews.

NANews — News of Israel emphasizes: such projects are important for the entire diaspora. They strengthen the sense of unity and give Israelis the opportunity to better understand what Ukraine lived and lives by.

Conclusions

The “Year of Agnon” is more than exhibitions and conferences. It is an attempt to revive memory, make the past part of the present, and offer a new future for cultural dialogue.

Ukraine and Israel have the chance to show that literature and history can connect even where walls have existed for decades.

On Friday, August 7, 2026, at 8:00 PM, a concert Chornitsa at Sho will take place at the restaurant Sho? in Tel Aviv — an evening of live Ukrainian rock, powerful vocals, new songs, and the atmosphere for which people come not just to “listen to music” but to become part of an event.

For the band Chornitsa, this will be the first performance on the stage of the restaurant Sho?. The musicians are preparing a powerful program for the audience: songs from the album “Na Ves Golos” (Ukr.), the latest singles, as well as new, yet unreleased tracks.

The evening promises to be especially interesting for those who already follow the band and for those who are just discovering the Ukrainian rock scene in Israel.

Special guest of the concert — Igor Ageenko.

Chornitsa: Ukrainian rock created in Israel

Chornitsa is a Ukrainian-language rock band from Haifa. It is one of those musical projects that are important not only as a concert story but also as a cultural symbol: Ukrainian music in Israel continues to sound, develop, and find its audience.

In the material NANovosti about the band Chornitsa, it was noted that the group was founded by immigrants from Ukraine and presents original songs in Ukrainian, as well as cover versions of famous Ukrainian performers. The band’s repertoire mentioned Ukrainian hits “Odin v Kanoe”, “Vopli Vidoplyasova”, Okean Elzy, and other compositions close to people who grew up with Ukrainian music or discovered it already in Israel.

But Chornitsa is not just covers.

An important part of the band’s story is their own songs. Currently, the concert program includes compositions from the album “Na Ves Golos”, the latest singles, and new tracks that have not yet been officially released.

So the concert on August 7, 2026 is not just a repeat of already familiar material. It’s an opportunity to hear the band in development: with what has already become part of their musical history and with what is only preparing to reach a wide audience.

The musicians themselves described themselves very accurately: “We are all from Ukraine, but now we live in Israel. And it is here that we create Ukrainian music”. This phrase well explains why Chornitsa is important for the Israeli scene: the band does not try to be a “museum of memories” but makes live Ukrainian music here, in Israel, in the present time.

You can listen to the band here:

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@chornitsa4512

Instagram –  https://www.instagram.com/chornitsa/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068335582124

Why this concert should be noted in the Israel poster

In Israel, there are many musical events, but Ukrainian-language rock is a separate story. Here, language, memory, emigration, new life, personal experience, and the desire to communicate with the audience not only through words but also through sound meet.

Chornitsa at Sho is an event for Ukrainians in Israel, for Israelis with Ukrainian roots, for friends of Ukraine, and for everyone interested in live music without artificial distance between the stage and the hall.

Songs from the album “Na Ves Golos” themselves set the mood for the evening. This is music not “half-tone” and not “for the background”. This is a story about voice, energy, emotions, and presence.

And new, yet unreleased tracks make the concert especially valuable: evening guests will be able to hear material that is not yet available in regular public access.

Sho: Ukrainian cuisine, Tel Aviv, and the right atmosphere for live music

The concert venue is also important. Sho? / SHO Ukrainian Traditional Food https://www.facebook.com/shotelaviv — a Ukrainian restaurant in Tel Aviv located at Carlebach Street 3, Tel Aviv-Yafo. An authentic Ukrainian place in the center of Tel Aviv with Ukrainian cuisine, service, and Ukrainian character.

For the concert Chornitsa, such a venue looks very organic. It is not a faceless hall and not a random stage. It is a place where Ukrainian culture is present not only in music but also in cuisine, in the atmosphere, in conversations at the tables, in the feeling of meeting.

Guests will be able to come not just to a concert, but to an evening of Ukrainian mood in the center of Tel Aviv: with live music, food, company, and the opportunity to hear the band very closely.

What will be in the program

At the concert Chornitsa at Sho will feature:

songs from the album “Na Ves Golos”;

the band’s latest singles;

new, yet unreleased tracks;

a live performance by a Ukrainian-language rock band from Haifa;

special participation of Igor Ageenko.

Such a format is especially good for a chamber stage: the music sounds closer, the audience’s reaction is felt stronger, and new songs are perceived not as a “release” but as a personal meeting with the band.

For whom this evening

This concert should be noted by those who are looking for a poster of Ukrainian events in Israel, are interested in live music in Tel Aviv, follow Ukrainian culture outside of Ukraine, or just want to spend an evening in a place with a special atmosphere.

Chornitsa at Sho is not only about rock. It’s about the Ukrainian language, which sounds on the Israeli stage. About Haifa and Tel Aviv, between which cultural connections are born. About music that has not remained in the past but continues to live in a new country.

And most importantly, it’s an evening where you can hear Ukrainian music at full voice.

Event information

Event: Chornitsa at Sho
Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Sho restaurant, Tel Aviv
Band: Chornitsa
From where: Haifa
Program: songs from the album “Na Ves Golos”, latest singles, and new unreleased tracks
Special guest: Igor Ageenko

Details:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2251054468973169/

Credit, debt write-off, or bankruptcy? GBT Global now accepts clients in Haifa and helps residents of northern Israel, the Haifa district, and the region from Haifa to Netanya deal with debts, BDI, bank rejections, and finding real financial solutions. The main condition for the client is simple: no prepayment — payment only after the deal is closed.

The new GBT Global office operates in Haifa, on Hatib Street, 3309154, in the Paris Square area. Office hours are from Sunday to Friday, from 8:00 to 16:00. However, the contact form is available 24/7: clients can leave a request at any convenient time, even if the office is already closed.

Submit a request and view the main areas of support

can be done on the GBT Global website.

Credit, debt write-off, or bankruptcy: why it’s important not to make a mistake with the first step

A financial problem rarely starts in one day. First, there is one loan, then a second payment, then a delay, a bank rejection, worsening BDI, calls from creditors, pressure, attempts to take a new loan to close the old one. At some point, a person no longer understands what they really need: a regular loan, debt consolidation, restructuring, debt write-off, or bankruptcy procedure.

In such situations, professional verification is more important than the advertisement ‘money for everyone’. GBT Global does not issue loans independently and does not promise the impossible. The company accompanies the client in the process of preparation, situation analysis, document verification, and finding a real financial solution.

For residents of Haifa and northern Israel, this is especially relevant. Many Russian-speaking, Hebrew-speaking, and English-speaking clients face the fact that banking documents, lending conditions, BDI, and legal formulations are difficult to understand without a specialist. An error in the application or chaotic submission of documents to different banks can only worsen the situation.

When a loan can still help

Credit can be a reasonable solution if the client has a stable income, understandable debt load, and the ability to service a new payment without a new financial failure. In this case, the specialist’s task is not just to ‘submit an application’, but to assess what conditions are possible, what documents are needed, what risks the bank sees, and how to correctly present the financial picture.

But if a person is already in constant arrears, takes one loan to close another, and does not control monthly payments, a new loan may not be a solution but an acceleration of the crisis. Therefore, before submitting an application, it is important to understand: does the loan really solve the problem or just postpone it for a few months ahead.

When to talk about debt write-off

Debt write-off is not a magic button and not a universal way to get rid of obligations. It is a serious process that depends on the size of the debts, income, property, payment history, legal status of obligations, and the position of creditors.

It is important to understand: debt write-off depends on the specific situation and cannot be guaranteed in advance. First, documents, income, obligations, payment history, possible legal restrictions, and the client’s overall financial picture are checked.

For the client, the main question is simple: is there a legal and real way to reduce the debt burden, negotiate with creditors, or get out of the situation without complete financial destruction. This question can only be answered after checking the documents and the overall picture.

That is why GBT Global emphasizes the initial analysis. It is important for a person not to hear a beautiful promise, but to understand what options they really have.

When bankruptcy becomes an option

Bankruptcy is an extreme but legal path if the debt situation has become critical and other options no longer work. For many people, the word ‘bankruptcy’ sounds frightening, but sometimes it is the legal procedure that allows stopping the chaos, moving to a clear process, and starting the restoration of financial life.

However, bankruptcy cannot be chosen blindly. Before such a step, it is necessary to check if there is an alternative: restructuring, debt consolidation, negotiations, partial obligation write-off, or another route. A mistake at this stage can cost a person time, money, and additional restrictions.

GBT Global office in Haifa: who is it convenient for

The new office in Haifa is designed not only for the residents of the city itself. It is convenient for clients from Kiryat (Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Ata), Nesher, Tirat Carmel, Akko, Nahariya, Afula, Hadera, Zichron Yaakov, Caesarea, Or Akiva, Netanya, and others. In fact, we are talking about a wide region: northern Israel and the central coast from Haifa to Netanya.

For many clients, a personal office matters. When it comes to credit, debts, BDI, or bankruptcy, a person often needs not just to send a form, but to explain the situation, show documents, ask clarifying questions, and understand who is handling their case.

Office address: Hatib Street, Haifa, 3309154, Paris Square area.

Working hours: Sunday — Friday, 8:00 — 16:00.

Contact form: 24/7.

Submit a request and view the main areas of support

can be done on the GBT Global website.

For readers of NAnovosti — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency, this topic is also important because financial difficulties in Israel are often related not only to income but also to language barriers, misunderstanding of banking rules, and fear of legal procedures. When there is an office nearby where you can explain the situation in a language you understand, a person is more likely to take the first step in time, rather than when debts have already become critical.

Why the ability to contact 24/7 is important

Financial problems do not always wait for a working day. A person may receive a bank rejection in the evening, see an account restriction, realize they cannot cope with payments, or simply finally decide to describe their situation. Therefore, the ability to leave a request through the form at any time is an important part of the service.

The client does not need to wait for the office to open to take the first step. It is enough to leave a request, indicate the problem, and the preferred language of communication. After that, a specialist can return to the request during working hours.

For residents of Haifa, northern Israel, and the region up to Netanya, the contact form is available 24/7 on the website: https://gbt.nikk.co.il/

Service in Hebrew, Russian, and English

GBT Global serves clients in three languages: Hebrew, Russian, and English. At the first contact, it is recommended to immediately indicate which language is more convenient to speak, so the company can invite the appropriate specialist.

This is especially important in Israel, where financial decisions are often related to banking documents in Hebrew, personal explanations in Russian or English, and the need to accurately understand the conditions. In matters of credit, debt write-off, and bankruptcy, there are no small details: a misunderstood word can change the client’s decision.

NAnovosti — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency emphasizes: for the Israeli audience, especially for residents of Haifa and the north of the country, local access to financial consultation can be more important than it seems. When the office is nearby, and service is possible in a language you understand, it is easier for a person not to postpone the problem until the last moment.

What is included in the first stage of the request

The first stage usually begins with a description of the situation. The client reports what exactly is bothering them: a loan is needed, there are debts, BDI has worsened, the bank refused, payments have accumulated, debt write-off or bankruptcy is being considered.

After that, it is important for the specialist to understand several things: is there a stable income, what obligations already exist, were there any delays, which banks or credit companies have already refused, are there any legal or enforcement processes, what documents are available, and how urgent the solution is needed.

This approach helps not to shoot blindly. In the financial sphere, this is critical: an extra application, an unprepared document package, or the wrong strategy can close options for the client that were still available.

No prepayment — why this is important

One of the main principles of GBT Global is no prepayment. Payment is made only after the deal is closed. For a person who is already under financial stress, this is an important signal: they are not required to pay money upfront for promises.

The financial market is full of loud phrases, but the client needs results and an honest understanding of the prospects. Therefore, the formula ‘no prepayment — payment only after the deal is closed’ well addresses the main fear of people with debts: not to lose the last money on consultations that lead nowhere.

What questions to ask before contacting

Before applying for a loan, debt write-off, or bankruptcy support, it is useful to honestly answer a few questions. How many monthly payments do you have? Are there any delays? When was the last bank refusal? Have you checked your BDI? Is there a stable income? Do you understand what amount you can realistically pay each month?

It is also important to prepare basic documents: identification, income data, bank statements, information about loans, debts, payments, and letters from financial organizations. The more accurate the picture, the faster the specialist can understand what options are even possible.

An equally important question is the purpose of the request. One person needs a new loan. Another needs to reduce the monthly load. A third needs to stop debt pressure. A fourth needs to check the possibility of debt write-off or bankruptcy. These situations look similar on the surface but require different solutions.

FAQ: frequently asked questions about credit, debt write-off, and bankruptcy in Haifa

Can I apply if the bank has already refused?

Yes, but it is important not to continue submitting applications chaotically. First, you need to understand the reason for the refusal: BDI, income, debt load, documents, delays, or other factors.

Can I get help with a bad BDI?

Yes, but a bad BDI is not corrected by promises. It needs to be checked, the reasons understood, and an assessment made of what financial solutions are available in the current situation.

Which is better: credit or debt write-off?

It depends on the client’s condition. If the income allows servicing payments, credit or consolidation may be an option. If the debt load is critical, debt write-off or other legal solutions need to be considered.

Is bankruptcy always the last option?

Most often, yes. Before bankruptcy, it is worth checking alternatives: negotiations, restructuring, debt consolidation, partial obligation write-off, or another path.

What documents to prepare before contacting?

It is advisable to prepare identification, income data, bank statements, information about current loans, debts, delays, letters from banks, credit companies, or enforcement bodies. If the documents are not yet at hand, you can still leave a request and describe the situation.

Can I apply from Netanya, Hadera, Kiryat, or other cities?

Yes. The office is located in Haifa, but the request is relevant for residents of northern Israel and the region from Haifa to Netanya: Kiryat (Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Ata), Nesher, Tirat Carmel, Akko, Nahariya, Afula, Hadera, Zichron Yaakov, Caesarea, Or Akiva, and other localities.

Does GBT Global issue loans independently?

No. GBT Global is not a bank and does not issue loans independently. The company accompanies the client: analyzes the situation, helps prepare documents, deals with BDI, debts, possible credit options, debt write-off, or bankruptcy.

Do I need to come to the office in person?

Not always. The first request can be left through the contact form 24/7. But the office in Haifa is convenient for those who want to come in person and discuss the situation with a specialist.

In what languages can service be received?

GBT Global serves clients in Hebrew, Russian, and English. At the first contact, it is better to immediately indicate the required language.

Is there a prepayment?

No. An important condition of GBT Global: no prepayment — payment only after the deal is closed.

GBT Global in Haifa: the first step to a financial solution

Credit, debt write-off, or bankruptcy — these are not just three different services. These are three different scenarios for a person who is faced with a financial choice. A mistake can exacerbate the problem, while the right check can open the way to a solution.

The GBT Global office in Haifa gives residents of the city, northern Israel, and the region from Haifa to Netanya the opportunity to receive support closer to home. Here you can start with an initial application, describe the situation, choose the language of communication, and understand what steps to take next.

GBT Global in Haifa
Hatib Street, Haifa, 3309154
Paris Square area
Sun-Fri: 8:00 — 16:00
Contact form — 24/7
Service: Hebrew, Russian, English

Submit a request and view the main areas of support

can be done on the GBT Global website.

…

On the night of July 6, 2026, Russian terrorists launched another massive combined strike on Ukraine.

The main target was once again Kyiv.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the attack began on the evening of July 5 and included 419 aerial attack assets: 68 missiles of various types and 351 drones.

Among them were “Zircon”/”Onyx” missiles, ballistic “Iskander-M”/S-400, cruise Kh-101, “Kalibr”, as well as drones of types Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas and decoy drones Parody. Ukrainian air defense destroyed or suppressed 363 aerial targets, but hits were recorded from 29 ballistic missiles and 18 strike drones at 34 locations.

For the Israeli reader, this is not abstract military statistics.

This is a familiar logic of war against cities: first overload the air defense system with the number of targets, then break through the defense with ballistics, and then explain to the world that the targets were supposedly “military objects.”

But in Kyiv, residential buildings were once again under attack.

Podil and Darnytskyi districts: rescuers completed the search

According to the State Emergency Service, search and rescue operations in Kyiv have been completed at both locations — in the Podil and Darnytskyi districts.

19 people became victims of the Russian attack, among them — 1 child.

Another 61 people were injured, among them 7 children.

Later, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the number of injured in the capital had risen to 76 people. According to him, 24 people were in hospital wards, among them — two children. Klitschko also reported that at night rescuers retrieved the bodies of a 12-year-old boy and his mother from the rubble in the Darnytskyi district.

In the Darnytskyi district, according to rescuers, search and rescue operations were completed on July 7. 11 people died there. At this location, 300 cubic meters of construction debris and waste were dismantled and removed, 183 rescuers and 99 units of SES equipment were involved in the work. SES psychologists provided assistance to 77 people.

8 people died in the Podil district.

This district, according to Kyiv authorities and rescuers, suffered some of the most severe damage. As a result of the strike on a nine-story residential building, floors of the building were destroyed, and rescuers worked under the risk of further collapses. Damage was also recorded in the Darnytskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Obolonskyi districts, fires in residential and non-residential buildings, damage to vehicles, and falling debris.

NANews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency follows this topic not as a distant war on the map.

For Israel, this is a story about how terrorist states and their allies test the limits of Western aid, the resilience of air defense, and the readiness of democracies to protect civilian populations.

Day of mourning and the Patriot question

On July 7, 2026, a day of mourning was declared in Kyiv and the Kyiv region for the victims.

According to Radio Liberty, Ukraine also initiated a meeting of the UN Security Council due to the attack. The strike occurred just before the NATO summit in Ankara, which starts on July 7, where Volodymyr Zelensky was supposed to meet with US President Donald Trump.

The main question after this attack is not only the number of destroyed houses.

The main question is why Ukraine still lacks interceptor missiles for the Patriot systems, which are critically important against ballistic missiles.

After the attack, Zelensky directly stated that Ukrainian military showed good results in destroying drones and cruise missiles, but the problem with Russian ballistics remains due to insufficient interceptor supplies. According to him, as long as the Patriot missiles remain in the allies’ warehouses, it effectively encourages Russia to continue “defeating” residential buildings.

Israeli media wrote about this as well. The Times of Israel noted that this was already the second attack in a week in which Russia actively used hard-to-intercept ballistic missiles, and Zelensky again appealed to allies for additional air defense capabilities.

For Israel, this detail is especially important.

Ukraine and Israel live in different military realities, but both countries understand well the value of missile defense. When missiles fly over residential areas, diplomatic formulas cease to be theory. Then the question is simpler: if there are interceptors, people have a chance to survive; if there are no interceptors, rescuers retrieve bodies from the rubble.

Why this attack is important for the Israeli audience

Russia once again showed that its war against Ukraine is not just the front.

It is a systemic war against cities, homes, children, hospitals, energy, transport, and normal life.

Kyiv on the night of July 6 was not a military base.

It was a city where people slept in apartments, where children were with their parents, where rescuers spent hours clearing concrete, metal, glass, and remnants of human lives after explosions.

That is why it is important for the Israeli audience to see the Ukrainian agenda without the Russian lens.

Today, Ukraine is asking not for abstract “support,” but for specific means to protect the sky. And after each such attack, it becomes clearer: the delay of allies is measured not by statements, but by the people who died.

Search and rescue operations in Kyiv have been completed.

But for the families of the victims, this night will never end.