{
  "id": 16205310,
  "title": "Netanyahu warns Israel could face banking sanctions, prepares alternative financial system",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/netanyahu-warns-israel-could-face-banking-sanctions-prepares",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T17:28:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post Tech & Start-Ups",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post-tech-start-ups",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-912667"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning that Israel may face banking sanctions and has begun preparations for alternative financial mechanisms, including blockchain technology. Speaking in an interview with Channel 10, Netanyahu emphasized the need to prepare an alternative economic system and highlighted potential currencies that could bypass sanctions. When asked about the role of blockchain technology in circumventing sanctions, he affirmed its potential as \"one of them\" and requested a plan to implement it.\n\nNetanyahu also addressed the future of US military assistance to Israel, stating that if the US does not continue providing the previously secured tens of billions of dollars, Israelis should prepare for a change. He dismissed concerns raised by Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Amir Yaron about the expansion of the defense budget, firmly rejecting Yaron's warnings.\n\nCrypto expert Nir Hirschman of the Crypto Companies Forum welcomed any progress in the realm of crypto and blockchain technology, but cautioned that it is not an avenue for evading financial transactions. He affirmed that blockchain offers potential to strengthen Israel's connection to global financial markets and streamline capital transfers, while emphasizing the technology's transparency through public blockchain networks. The Crypto Companies Forum is prepared to collaborate with the government and regulators to promote necessary reforms in the crypto field, bolstering Israel's economy and international ties.",
  "summary": "Netanyahu says Israel is preparing alternatives to banking sanctions, including blockchain, and warns that US military aid cannot be taken for granted.",
  "key_points": [
    "Netanyahu warns Israel could face banking sanctions",
    "Prepares alternative financial system using blockchain technology",
    "US military assistance may change without continued funding"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Developing blockchain-based financial alternatives signals a strategic shift toward economic self-reliance as Israel prepares for potential international banking sanctions and a possible reduction in American military assistance.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/16205310.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Haaretz",
        "title": "Instead of averting sanctions, Netanyahu offers Israelis an Iran-style blockchain economy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/instead-of-averting-sanctions-netanyahu-offers-israelis-an-iran-style",
        "published": "2026-10-23T18:53:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Netanyahu urges Israel to prepare for possible shift in US support",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/netanyahu-urges-israel-to-prepare-for-possible-shift-in-us-support",
        "published": "2026-10-23T19:37:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Netanyahu warns of possible banking sanctions, proposes digital currencies as alternative",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/netanyahu-warns-of-possible-banking-sanctions-proposes-digital",
        "published": "2026-10-23T20:28:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Times of Israel",
        "title": "Netanyahu: Israel should ready for global sanctions, use blockchain to circumvent them",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/netanyahu-israel-should-ready-for-global-sanctions-use-blockchain-to",
        "published": "2026-10-23T20:51:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}