Bank of Israel Governor Dr. Karnit Flug, Supervisor of Banks David Zaken, Director of the Research Department Prof. Nathan Sussman, and Director of the Market Operations Department Andrew Abir today visited Ashkelon and Ashdod. They visited the Ditron Precision factory and the Rav Bariach Industries factory, where the Governor discussed the challenges facing industry in general and export industries in particular during this period, and specifically as a result of the security situation in the south of the country. The Governor expressed her appreciation of the factories and of industry in general, which made sure to continue operating production lines throughout the entire period of the worsening security situation. The Governor noted that the fact that the government and the Knesset acted rapidly to approve compensation for businesses that were harmed as a result of the security situation was very important, since it reduced the uncertainty facing the businesses during this time.
The senior bank officials visited a Bank Leumi branch in Ashkelon and a Discount Bank branch in Ashdod. The branch managers presented the effects of the security situation on the bank customers, mainly on small business owners. The Governor and the Supervisor of Banks also saw how the leniencies to the public published by the Supervisor of Banks as part of the response to the security situation in the home front assisted customers in coping with the situation, and expressed their appreciation to the employees and executives of the banks for their readiness to continue providing services to the public during this period.