The Central Bureau of Statistics shows a sharp decline of 15,000–25,000 salaried hi-tech workers in May, building on an April drop of 11,000–20,000 relative to March. The data, reported by Lior Bakalo on N12, reflects the winding-down of Operation Roaring Lion, which left many workers technically employed on paper.
New data from Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), reported Monday by journalist Lior Bakalo on N12, reveals a sharp contraction in the hi-tech labor market. In May, the number of salaried hi-tech workers fell by 15,000–25,000, following a decline of 11,000–20,000 in April compared to March.
The successive drops are attributed to the conclusion of Operation Roaring Lion — the joint US-Israel operation in Iran from February 2026 — which had temporarily kept many workers on payrolls "on paper" despite reduced activity. The cumulative two-month decline reflects a normalization of employment levels as reserve call-ups and war-related demand subside.
The data aligns with earlier concerns raised by the Manufacturers Association and the Finance Ministry's chief economist regarding the broader economic impact of the post-operation adjustment. The CBS figures are the clearest signal yet of the sector's post-war recalibration.
(Note: The second message in the batch — regarding Syria-Lebanon and Hezbollah — is a separate story and not included here.)
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Source and signal
- Internal intake