{
  "id": 19841527,
  "title": "Foreign Minister Sa’ar's critical minerals initiative wins unanimous government approval",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/foreign-minister-saars-critical-minerals-initiative-wins-unanimous",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T17:56:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-914825"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar secured unanimous approval for a national critical minerals program, the Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday. Sa'ar's initiative stems from his participation in the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This US-led diplomatic effort seeks to reshape critical minerals supply chains, aiming to diminish reliance on China and boost Israel's economic growth and international partnerships.\n\nSa'ar emphasized the critical importance of securing essential raw materials for both national security and economic prosperity. The program's main objectives include ensuring a stable supply of minerals to the economy and defense sectors, as well as capitalizing on Israel's technological and innovation strengths. The initiative focuses on two key goals: securing essential minerals and developing Israeli assets in the critical minerals sector.\n\nThe Foreign Ministry highlighted the initiative's commitment to fostering international cooperation and enhancing Israel's role in critical mineral supply chains. An interministerial team, headed by Eden Bar-Tal, Director-General of the Foreign Ministry, drafted the program's recommendations. The initiative is backed by multiple government ministries and agencies, including the Prime Minister's Office, Defense Ministry, and Israel Innovation Authority.\n\nIsrael has also initiated discussions with Kazakhstan on critical minerals cooperation, as the Foreign Ministry reported. The program aims to leverage Israel's unique technological capabilities and turn its dependence on critical minerals into a catalyst for growth and strengthened global connections.",
  "summary": "Foreign Minister Sa’ar has launched a critical minerals initiative following participation in the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, according to the Jerusalem Post. The ministry stated that Sa’ar attended the meeting at the invitation of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.\n\nIn a separate matter, Tadon Nasangen Samuel, an Assembly Member for the Tinageria Electoral Area in the Nanumba South District, has petitioned the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. According to Adom Online, the petition dated November 11, 2026, calls for intervention regarding a failure to re-conduct the election of a Presiding Member for the Assembly.\n\nThe petition notes that during two rounds of voting held on June 10, 2026, no candidate secured the required two-thirds majority of 28 votes. Adom Online reports that in the first round, Mr. Samuel received 13 votes and Mahamudu Mutaru received 17 votes, with nine spoilt ballots. In the second round, Mr. Samuel received 17 votes and Mr. Mutaru received 14 votes, with eight spoilt ballots. Mr. Samuel also requested an investigation into the Assembly's alleged failure to participate in a leadership training programme organized by the Institute of Local Government Studies.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Thalassemia-affected children thank Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy for pension initiative",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/thalassemia-affected-children-thank-minister-ponguleti-srinivas-reddy",
        "published": "2026-11-13T16:31:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}