Eilat Port claps back on Houthis. ISA raids drone company. Apparel 28% costlier than OECD | TV10 Israel Daily
Re: December 24, 2025 in Israel - and what it all means for investors at home and abroad.
Eilat Port goes it alone
As terror threats snarl maritime logistics in the Red Sea, the Port of Eilat announced today that it will establish independent operations for car imports.
Over the last two years, Houthi attacks from Yemen have scared away global shipping giants, who have largely abandoned the route to Eilat. With insurance premiums skyrocketing due to perceived security risk, Red Sea lanes have become unsustainable. To break the so-called ‘blockade,’ the port intends to lease or purchase two dedicated shipping vessels.
The plan involves securing ships capable of carrying 3,500 to 5,000 vehicles each. Daily lease costs are estimated between $35,000 and $50,000. By vertically integrating the shipping lane into port operations, management aims to create a sovereign supply chain that doesn’t need to wait for international carriers. The port is currently in advanced talks with insurers to secure voyage coverage.
This initiative should help to untangle the supply chain here. The forced diversion of vehicle imports to Haifa and Ashdod has created a logistical bottleneck, with thousands of cars occupying dock space meant for essential goods. The urgency to unclog these supply chains has never been higher. That’s because the volume of incoming cargo is about to spike - here’s why.
The Finance Ministry just gave every household in Israel a reason to keep shopping online
Taking aim at the high cost of living, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich signed an order today doubling the tax-free threshold for online orders from abroad from $75 to $150, effective immediately. This may break the grip of local retail monopolies by flooding the market with cheaper foreign alternatives.
With clothing and footwear prices in Israel currently 28% higher than the OECD average, Smotrich declared that he is “not willing to let the Israeli public be a captive customer.”
Israeli execs on the move
Samelet Group: Shay Feldman is stepping down as CEO after seven years. Feldman, who oversaw the auto importer’s entry into the credit and insurance markets and the launch of Chinese brands Hongqi and Leapmotor, will remain with the group to advise on its financial operations.
Aquarius Engines: The linear engine developer appointed Roi Bargil as CEO. Bargil, formerly VP of Business Development at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), signals a strategic push to leverage the company’s technology for defense and dual-use applications.
Smartie: Eliezer Marum has been named Chairman of the AI energy management firm. The startup recently completed a rollout across 59 Victory supermarket branches, demonstrating electricity cost reductions of up to 30%.
ISA raids Aerodrome (TASE:ARDM) over alleged disclosure failures
Shares of Aerodrome (TASE:ARDM), a developer of AI-powered drone intelligence systems, plunged over 7% today following a raid by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA). The investigation targets allegations that management concealed critical business failures from shareholders while the stock continued to trade.
This raid came on the heels of a class-action lawsuit by investors who said they had gotten wise to the company’s conduct.
The investigation centers on a questionable timeline regarding a ₪70M tender from the Ministry of Defense announced in October 2024. Although Aerodrome subsequently lost the contract to a competitor due to supply issues, investigators allege management waited nearly two weeks to disclose the cancellation, leaving the market flying blind.
This caps a disastrous year for the drone company. The stock is down 57% YTD, battered by order cancellations, a CEO resignation, and a previous ISA governance audit.
TASE snapshot for Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025
TA-35 Index (TASE:TA35): 🟢 +0.23%
TA-90 (TASE:TA90): 🟢 +0.78%
TA-125 (TASE:TA125): 🟢 +0.35%
That’s our Wednesday here in Israel 🎉
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