The latest report from the Ministry of Finance's chief economist highlights a 35% surge in foreign investment in Israel during the first half of 2025, based on data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This marks the strongest inflow since 2021 and is presented as a sign of renewed confidence in Israel's economy. However, the Ministry's own internal database tells a different story, indicating a 15% drop in the value of foreign investment transactions and a 17% decrease in the number of deals for the same period. The discrepancy arises from differing methodologies: the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development tracks actual cash flows, while the Ministry monitors announced deals, which may not yet have resulted in money entering the country. Notably, the figures are also influenced by large, one-off deals such as Intel's $15 billion investment in Kiryat Gat. Excluding this, the report notes a 24% rise in investment for 2024. Overall, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reports a 9% decline in inward investment for 2024 compared to 2023, aligning with trends seen in other member countries.