Of the 108,475 people newly registered as jobless in October, 16% were fired, compared with 9% in September; as in first lockdown, young people and women once again bear the brunt

Ratings agency holds Jewish state's relatively high AA- classification, with a stable outlook, citing robust financial system, local savings and access to capital markets

Global markets strategist at Bank Hapoalim says ties with UAE, Bahrain are 'gamechanger' thanks to new markets; hopes Saudi Arabia, Palestinians will follow

Unlike many OECD countries that subsidize flexible, part-time furlough for workers during pandemic, Israel insists on all or nothing; critics say unpreparedness is the main reason

'This time we are fed up,' CEO of Big fumes after government leaves out shops from latest rollback of virus restrictions; Edelstein slams large stores selling non-essential items

Finance Ministry estimate assesses impact of current limitations, including shuttered commerce and education system

Central Bank Governor Amir Yaron calls for 2021 budget to be presented 'as soon as possible' to create certainty in economy; earmarks NIS 10 billion for small business loans

Anger between populations tears at fabric of society as many lose their livelihood, while some firms have managed to reinvent themselves to adapt to the new reality

'Fear of fines? I'm afraid my landlord will throw me to the street,' exclaims a worker; another says government stipends can't even cover her rent

While acknowledging that money, and lots of it, must be devoted to safeguarding the economy, experts rail against unwise and profligate spending and warn of the heavy toll to come