Israel
Klein leaves February's interest rates unchanged
Bank of Israel Governor David Klein decided Monday to leave the central bank's key lending rate unchanged for the month of February, and interest rates will stand at 8.9%.
The governor's performance hits a new low
ARTICLE - An article published in the Jerusalem Post on Tuesday criticised Bank of Israel governor David Klein for apparently laying the blame for Israel's 6.5 percent inflation rate on the government.
Bank of Israel accused of generating instability
Israel's Ministry of Finance on Thursday launched a fierce attack on the Bank of Israel, saying the central bank had failed to meet inflation targets and at times had a destabilising effect on the market.
Gretta Duisenberg apologises for 'Nazi' remarks
Gretta Duisenberg has apologised for saying last week that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories was worse than the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands - with the exception of the Holocaust.
Klein: Israel should rely less on foreign workers
Israel must take urgent action to reduce the number of foreign workers, Bank of Israel Governor David Klein said on Thursday night in a lecture to the Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce in Tel Aviv.
Israel's PM summons bank governor over gaffe
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon summoned Governor of the Bank of Israel David Klein for an urgent meeting, following Klein's comments in the media in recent days, it was reported.
ECB president's wife cancels Israel visit
NETHERLANDS - Gretta Duisenberg, the wife of European Central Bank President Wim Duisenberg, has cancelled a planned trip to Israel and the territories due to pressure from the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
Panel to discuss central bank of Israel's wages
ISRAEL - Knesset State Control Committee Chairman MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) has called an extraordinary session for next week to discuss the Bank of Israel's wage policy.
Treasury-central bank rift in Israel
ISRAEL - For the first time in decades, the Prime Minister's Office, the treasury and the Bank of Israel did not jointly publish the national forecast together with the publication of the 2003 budget. The disagreement is testimony to the difficult…
David Klein's mysterious adventure
ARTICLE - Several weeks ago, the premier international rating agency Standard & Poor downgraded the credit ratings of Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, and Bank Discount. This action was driven by concern over the quality of loans these banks have issued. In…
Israel debates monetary council for central bank
ISRAEL - The Knesset's Finance Committee will shortly be reopening discussion of a monetary council for the Bank of Israel, which would share some of the responsibilities belonging to the central bank governor, David Klein.
Bank of Israel - Annual Report 2001
ANNUAL REPORT - The Bank of Israel has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2001.
Israel's for ex reserve drop for 3rd month running
ISRAEL - Israel's foreign currency reserves dropped in September for the third month running, the Bank of Israel said today.
Bank of Israel governor leaves rate unchanged
ISRAEL - Key lending rates will remain unchanged at 9.1 percent in August, Bank of Israel governor David Klein announced Monday afternoon.
Israel's c bank chief criticizes inadequate budget
ISRAEL - Governor of the Bank of Israel David Klein says financial stability is not yet assured. Speaking before the Israel Democracy Institute's annual Caesarea conference, being held this year in Jerusalem, he said the task of restoring economic…
Update, B of Israel's Monetary Program, 9 June
PRESS RELEASE - The Bank of Israel today announced an update of its monetary program for June 2002, according to which its interest rate will be raised by 1.5 percent to 7.1 percent. The change will go into effect on Tuesday, 11 June 2002. Thus, the…
Shekel gains slightly on dollar despite rate hike
ISRAEL - The shekel strengthened only slightly on the dollar Monday, despite the Bank of Israel's surprise announcement a day earlier of a sharp hike in interest rates.
Flag protest
NETHERLANDS - The wife of the President of the European Central Bank hung a Palestinian flag from a second-floor balcony of their home here in protest against Israel's actions in the West Bank. Wim Duisenberg refused to comment on the stance taken by…
Frenkel accused of claiming funds not due him
ISRAEL - Israel's state audit office said on Monday former Bank of Israel Governor Jacob Frenkel, who stepped down in 2000 after nine years in office, had claimed thousands of dollars not due to him. A spokesman for Frenkel in Tel Aviv dismissed all the…
Klein to consider his position if c bank reformed
ISRAEL - Bank of Israel Governor David Klein says he'll have to consider his future if the Bank of Israel Law governing the central bank is revised according to the Finance Ministry's proposal it is reported.
No compromise on Bank of Israel law
ISRAEL - Parliament will be asked this week to approve a redefinition of the Bank of Israel's powers that the central bank opposes.
Israel sees no progress on central bank reform
ISRAEL - The Bank of Israel said Thursday that no significant progress had been made in reaching a compromise on the Finance Ministry's plan to amend the law governing the central bank.
Israel approves Bill to redefine c bank powers
ISRAEL - Israeli ministers have approved a bill that would redefine the Bank of Israel's powers, but allowed the finance ministry and central bank time to propose changes to the bill to resolve continuing disagreements.
Israeli cabinet OKs diluting cen bank chief power
ISRAEL - Israel's cabinet on Sunday approved sweeping changes to the way interest rates are set but analysts said the plans, which include setting up a monetary council, would weaken the central bank and harm the economy.