Netanyahu Proposes Blockchain to Circumvent Potential International Sanctions

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is exploring blockchain and cryptocurrencies as a way to avoid the economic impact of possible international financial sanctions targeting Israeli settlement goods. He described blockchain as a “national strategic tool,” marking a shift from viewing crypto as an investment to seeing it as part of the country’s economic defense. The proposal has been met with criticism from the Bank of Israel, opposition politicians, and industry experts who argue that cryptocurrencies cannot effectively bypass sanctions and could threaten national security. The debate comes amid a growing list of Western countries announcing sanctions against Israeli settlements and the possibility that these could extend to Israel itself.