Nir Barkat

Grapevine March 1, 2026: Women in the spotlight

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

TALIA EILAT with her 2026 Peres Center Medal of Distinction and certificate.
Nir Barkat.

Economy minister says Israel can’t miss ‘beheading’ opportunity in Iran, urges full-force strikes

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich arrives to a conference of the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon in Jerusalem, December 25, 2025

Smotrich doubles down on refusal to enlist daughter, claims IDF is 'no place for women'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at cabinet meeting to vote on 2026 budget, December 5, 2025.

'Chutzpan': Netanyahu removes Smotrich, Amsalem from cabinet meeting after shouting match


Nir Barkat urges Israel to declare Qatar a terror-supporting nation

Economy Minister Nir Barkat accused Qatar of being the world's leading sponsor of terrorism and called for Israel to take legislative action declaring it a terror-supporting state.

Nir Barakat accused Qatar of being the world's leading sponsor of terrorism and called on Israel to take legislative action declaring it a terror-supporting state

Israel removes all remaining tariffs on US imports

Israel and the US signed a free trade agreement in 1985, and some 98% of goods are tax-free.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 17, 2025

Nir Barkat apologizes for comments over freed hostage Eli Sharabi's testimony

Asked on Saturday whether he had watched Sharabi's testimony on Channel 12's Uvda, Barkat said "I had more important things to do."

 Economy Minister Nir Barkat speaks during a press conference at his office in Tel Aviv, March 12, 2024.

'This is not North Korea': Nir Barkat calls Netanyahu 'supreme leader'

Earlier in the program when asked whether he had watched the interview with freed hostage Eli Sharabi, Barkat said "I had more important things to do."

 (L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Economy Minister Nir Barkat

Israel and Vietnam reignite relations with new free trade agreement

“The trade agreement with Vietnam represents a significant step forward for the Israeli economy, marking another milestone in Israel’s cooperation with leading global economies," Barkat said.

 Israeli Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat is seen shaking hands with his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyễn Hồng Diên.

Grapevine October 25, 2024: With a little help from our friends

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 THE OR LAMISHPACHOT choir sings at an ICEJ gathering last Sunday at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem.

El Al sets four fixed-price destinations to keep skies open amid airline cancelations

El Al will offer round-trip tickets to international travel hubs Larnaca for $199, Athens for $299, and Vienna and Dubai for $349 through the end of 2024.

 An El Al plane in Ben-Gurion Airport.

New reform that would allow Israel to import products marketed in EU passes

In February, the Knesset’s ministerial Cost of Living Committee approved a new reform that would allow Israel to import products marketed in the European Union.

 Prime Minister Netanyahu while Israel committee approves EU import reform

'It's your time to decide': Former minister calls for Nir Barkat to leave government

Barkat has come under increasing pressure to leave the government in recent weeks, and it has intensified after Gantz resigned.

Economy Minister Nir Barkat seen during a plenum session at the Knesset, in Jerusalem on May 29, 2024

Nir Barkat threatens Likud opposition on haredi draft bill, Netanyahu fires back

"To win the war, the IDF needs more soldiers. Without victory in battle, there is no country and no Torah," Barkat stated.

 (L-R) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Economy Minister Nir Barkat