The Bank of Israel's representative rate closed at 3.0680 shekels per dollar, the highest since 1995. This marks an appreciation of approximately 15 percent over the past year.
The rally is fueled by market expectations of an improving geopolitical situation, accelerated postwar economic recovery, and a broadly weaker dollar on global markets.
Of the millions of buildings in New York City, you would never guess which the @ZohranKMamdani administration would like to tear down first to create affordable housing. https://t.co/sKl1uS5oTB pic.twitter.com/qfmjtVxKT4
— Rabbi Poupko (@RabbiPoupko) February 13, 2026
Air quality surveyors ranked Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as the world’s most polluted cities, with pollutant levels— specifically fine particles —exceeding “hazardous” levels in many parts of Israel.
Air quality monitoring site IQAir listed the Israeli cities above Almaty, Kazakhstan; Lahore, Pakistan and Kolkata, India.
The Health Ministry recommended that populations sensitive to dust —people with heart or lung conditions, the elderly, children, and pregnant women — avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
Other health recommendations included closing windows, wearing a mask—even indoors —and running an air purifier.
Environmental Protection Agency monitoring stations recorded a severe drop in quality starting around 3 a.m. as strong winds brought in clouds of dust from North Africa and the Sahara.
A New York City-based drone manufacturer supplying technology to Israel was recently evicted from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the New York Post reported.
The move comes just six weeks after Zohran Mamdani, a vocal pro-Palestinian, was sworn in as mayor of New York City.
The decision to not renew the lease of Easy Aerial, a company that has long been embroiled in political debates due to its ties with Israeli defense operations, was made by the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC). The BNYDC, which oversees the 300-acre industrial complex, has board members appointed by the mayor. Councilman Lincoln Restler, a member of the city council representing Brooklyn, publicly celebrated the eviction, claiming that the public asset should not be used to support businesses that produce weapons used in warfare.
Easy Aerial’s operations at the Brooklyn Navy Yard have long drawn protests, mainly from groups like “Demilitarize Brooklyn Navy Yard," which have called for the eviction of tenants involved in the defense sector, particularly those linked to Israel. In their protests, the groups pressured City Hall to take action, despite the company’s positive impact on local employment.
State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, a strong advocate for Israel, expressed concerns about the economic implications of this decision. He criticized the move, suggesting that chasing out companies like Easy Aerial over political differences could harm the local economy and drive away jobs.
Under the previous administration of Mayor Eric Adams, a staunch supporter of Israel, Easy Aerial was celebrated for its role in providing high-tech solutions for both the Israeli Defense Forces and US federal agencies. The company had even been involved in major security operations such as monitoring the Super Bowl and border security.
In addition to supporting Israel, Easy Aerial has a longstanding relationship with the US Air Force, working to monitor activity along the Mexican border. Despite its diverse clientele, its ties to Israel have made it a target for local activists.
Mamdani's office has not commented directly on the political ramifications of the eviction.
A BNYDC spokesperson Claire Holmes claimed to the New York Post that the non-renewal was “for business reasons related to operational and campus compliance matters. Like any landlord, we evaluate renewals based on adherence to lease terms and campus policies."
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that President Isaac Herzog “should be ashamed of himself” for not granting a pardon to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is standing trial for alleged fraud, bribery and breach of trust.
Trump has been calling for Netanyahu to be pardoned since June 2025, but Monday was the first time he attacked Herzog for not granting one to the premier.
The comments came a day after Trump met Netanyahu in the White House.
A Channel 14 poll published on Thursday evening presents an updated picture of the seat distribution and prime ministerial preferences, assuming elections were held today. The data shows a slight strengthening of the right-wing bloc, led by Likud, which now holds 66 seats.
According to the poll, the Likud Party receives 35 seats. The Joint List, following the merger of the Arab parties, stands at 13 seats, making it the second-largest party. Naftali Bennett’s party, Shas, and the Democrats each drop one seat compared to last week, with 10 seats each.
United Torah Judaism maintains its strength with 9 seats, while Yisrael Beytenu remains at 8 seats. Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar party gains two seats, bringing it to 8. Otzma Yehudit receives 7 seats, the Religious Zionist Party rises by one seat to 5, and Yesh Atid increases to 5 seats, compared to 4 in the previous poll. Blue and White does not cross the electoral threshold.
In terms of blocs, the coalition bloc wins 66 seats, the opposition bloc stands at 41 seats, and the Arab parties earn 13 seats.
Regarding the prime ministerial race, Benjamin Netanyahu leads with 57%, gaining strength after his visit to Washington. Naftali Bennett follows with 19%, Gadi Eisenkot has 13%, Yair Lapid holds 5%, Avigdor Liberman has 4%, and Benny Gantz has 2%.
הפרגוד: קו 404 הגיע לבני ברק בשעה 02:00 ולטענת הנוסע המצלם הנהג וויתר על המסלול כדי ללכת לאכול טשולנט. pic.twitter.com/oIIIxfkPH7
— הפרגוד (@moshepargod) February 13, 2026
Overwhelming vote. Britain has fallen and it can't get up. https://t.co/mUmUrY3YB1
— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) February 13, 2026
