Israel approves national critical minerals initiative to bolster supply security

Israel’s government on Wednesday unanimously approved a proposal by the country’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, to develop a national critical minerals program aimed at securing essential raw materials for the country’s economy and defense industries.

The initiative seeks to strengthen Israel’s supply chains and expand international partnerships in a field vital to semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicle batteries and advanced defense technologies. Sa’ar launched the initiative following his participation in a February ministerial conference in Washington hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“This is a strategic issue of the first order and a matter of national security,” Sa’ar said. “Today’s government decision marks an important step forward in advancing this national initiative.”