menu_open Columnists
Sharon Wrobel

Sharon Wrobel

The Times of Israel

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Arkia and Air Haifa to face class action suit over profiteering during Iran war

Rather than provide return flights to Israeli customers stranded abroad, the two local carriers allegedly chose to refund canceled tickets and sell...

yesterday 5

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Cybersecurity unicorn Cato Networks snags $359m, soaring to $4.8 billion valuation

Investment in entrepreneur Shlomo Kramer’s company, a maker of cloud-based secure networks, comes almost two years after previous round, when the...

yesterday 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israeli travelers again face astronomical air fares for peak summer season

Israeli travelers again face astronomical air fares for peak summer season

Many European and US airlines are still avoiding Israel after the Iran ceasefire; with few flights available, Israelis forced to buy expensive tickets...

previous day 10

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Disgruntled El Al customers stranded abroad find little help in getting back home

Disgruntled El Al customers stranded abroad find little help in getting back home

Stranded travelers stuck in London join long standby queues at Heathrow Airport and are furious that the airline is back to normal, selling new...

27.06.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

New Zealand’s Xero to snap up Israeli fintech startup Melio for up to $3 billion

New Zealand’s Xero to snap up Israeli fintech startup Melio for up to $3 billion

Based in Tel Aviv, Melio is the developer of a platform that seeks to make paying and getting paid electronically less of a burden to small and...

25.06.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israel reopens skies for air travel, returns international airport to full operation

Israel reopens skies for air travel, returns international airport to full operation

Following Iran ceasefire, Ben Gurion Airport will operate without restrictions; six foreign carriers want to resume flights, while others will stay...

24.06.2025 8

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israel approves $8 billion war insurance cover for Israeli and foreign airlines

Israel approves $8 billion war insurance cover for Israeli and foreign airlines

Once the Israeli airspace reopens, the state-backed guarantee will enable foreign airlines to obtain wartime insurance policies to lure them to keep...

23.06.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israel to allow outbound flights starting Monday, restricted to 50 passengers per plane

Israel to allow outbound flights starting Monday, restricted to 50 passengers per plane

Over 1,000 Israelis and foreigners expected to leave Monday, with traveler cap aimed at minimizing security risk and overcrowding at Ben Gurion...

23.06.2025 100

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Despite travel warning, majority of returning Israelis do so via Jordan and Egypt

Despite travel warning, majority of returning Israelis do so via Jordan and Egypt

Over 70,000 Israelis have returned home since the start of the war with Iran, of whom about 39,000 citizens crossed via land border crossings with...

23.06.2025 80

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israeli carriers to start outbound flights on Monday, limited to 50 people per plane

Israeli carriers to start outbound flights on Monday, limited to 50 people per plane

El Al opens registration for flights to destinations in Europe, the US, and Far East, enabling foreigners and Israelis to leave by air for first time...

22.06.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israel is set to start outbound flights Monday as more than 50,000 citizens return home

Israel is set to start outbound flights Monday as more than 50,000 citizens return home

Diplomats, tourists, youth and sports groups stuck are poised to depart on half-full planes; Thousands of Israelis return home via air, sea and land...

20.06.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Carriers expand airlift to bring Israelis home; outbound flights set to begin Monday

Carriers expand airlift to bring Israelis home; outbound flights set to begin Monday

Subject to approval by a government-led exceptions committee, diplomats, tourists, foreign youth and sports groups stranded in Israel will be able to...

19.06.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Six-month old Israeli startup is bought up by website builder Wix for $80 million

Six-month old Israeli startup is bought up by website builder Wix for $80 million

Bootstrapped startup Base44 is the developer of an AI-based platform that lets users build apps with no coding experience, by writing a text prompt,...

19.06.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

With Israel’s airspace closed, fleeing tourists and homeward-bound Israelis take to the sea

With Israel’s airspace closed, fleeing tourists and homeward-bound Israelis take to the sea

A growing maritime travel route is helping stranded people get in and out of the Jewish state amid war with Iran, but prices for the yacht and ferry...

18.06.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

First repatriation flights spirit Israelis home from Cyprus as air mission takes off

First repatriation flights spirit Israelis home from Cyprus as air mission takes off

El Al and Arkia planes from Larnaca land at Ben Gurion airport, with several more flights from around Europe planned in coming hours to bring back...

18.06.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israeli airlines to launch repatriation flights to bring citizens back home

Israeli airlines to launch repatriation flights to bring citizens back home

Starting on Wednesday, El Al, Arkia and Israir will operate a limited number of flights to pick up stranded Israelis from nearby Cyprus and Greece,...

18.06.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

S&P warns long war with Iran could sink Israel’s credit rating

S&P warns long war with Iran could sink Israel’s credit rating

Agency says outlook remains negative, meaning another downgrade is possible, citing ‘prospect of escalation’ in conflict; Fitch sees...

17.06.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israel embarks on plan to bring more than 100,000 Israelis stuck abroad safely home

Israel embarks on plan to bring more than 100,000 Israelis stuck abroad safely home

El Al opens registration for stranded passengers to map return flights; Arkia creates flight schedule for Israelis to return from Athens, Larnaca,...

16.06.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israelis stranded abroad should ‘enjoy’ extra away time, transport minister says

Israelis stranded abroad should ‘enjoy’ extra away time, transport minister says

Regev says bringing back roughly 100,000 Israelis will take time, to mitigate risk of planes being attacked; Israelis seeking to leave will not yet be...

16.06.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Tel Aviv shares gain amid waves of missile attacks between Israel and Iran

Major indices rise, led by defense, retail, and construction stocks, as investors weigh implications for the local economy if removal of the...

15.06.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Stranded Israelis told not to go to Larnaca, Athens; not to use Egypt, Jordan land crossings

Stranded Israelis told not to go to Larnaca, Athens; not to use Egypt, Jordan land crossings

With airspace closed amid conflict with Iran, authorities say it will take weeks before the tens of thousands of Israelis stuck abroad will get home;...

15.06.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

‘Exploiting national tragedy’: El Al faces class action over war price gouging claims

Israel’s flag carrier is being sued for $600 million in a suit that alleges that the airline’s exorbitant price hikes, which generated massive...

12.06.2025 9

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Nvidia and Google are top two best firms to work for in Israel in 2025: D&B

Ranking by Dun & Bradstreet finds that during the war period employees place more importance on sense of meaning and fulfillment at the workplace...

08.06.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

With Houthi attacks spiking airfares, Israelis are forced to adjust summer plans

As many foreign carriers halt their flights to Tel Aviv, Israelis forgo popular but expensive cities in western Europe for breaks in nearby Greece,...

06.06.2025 60

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

How an injured IDF veteran-turned professor is creating perpetual power for robots

CaPow startup founder Mor Peretz has created a way to provide machines with a ‘sip of energy’ as they move across warehouses and factories,...

06.06.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Norway rejects calls to toughen investment rules in Israeli companies

Lawmakers vote 88 to 16 against a proposal ordering the fund to withdraw from companies that contribute to Israeli ‘war crimes’ in the West Bank

04.06.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

11 Israeli startups dominate list of most promising global cybersecurity firms

The startups make up more than one-third of Notable Capital’s ‘Rising in Cyber 2025’ list of 30 companies solving the most urgent challenges facing...

04.06.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

United Airlines announces resumption of New York-Tel Aviv flights from June 5

US carrier says decision comes after detailed assessment and ‘close work with unions’; airline had suspended flights after Houthi missile impacted...

31.05.2025 100

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

As airlines stay away, threats of sanctions raise fears nations could close skies to Israel

Israel could face more international isolation, including bans on local carriers, as Western allies threaten repercussions if the war and...

30.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Italy’s right-wing government joins allies in urging Israel to end war in Gaza

FM Antonio Tajani says Israel’s ‘legitimate response’ to Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack now taking on ‘unacceptable form,’ adds ‘respect for...

28.05.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Low-cost carrier Ryanair follows British Airways in dropping Israel flights until August

Irish budget airline is among the many foreign carriers that halted services to Tel Aviv after a missile fired by Yemen’s Houthis struck grounds of...

28.05.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

S&P official warns Israel’s credit rating at downgrade risk amid judicial jitters, Gaza war

Rating agency official says institutional risk could impinge Israel’s rating; Central bank governor Yaron warns government over weakening the...

27.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

War costs put Israel’s public services at risk of collapse, says former central bank head

Without policy shift, social welfare won’t meet needs of population; quality of life and economic growth will be harmed, says Karnit Flug, ahead of...

27.05.2025 40

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Air France to resume flights to Tel Aviv, while Lufthansa pushes off return

Lufthansa extends halt until June 15, following Houthi missile strike on airport, while Wizz Air and Delta have restarted operations to Tel Aviv

26.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Website builder Wix buys Israeli startup to ramp up GenAI video creation tools

23.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

EU, UK review of trade ties over Gaza war could take bite out of business, exporters fear

Experts warn af domino effect on investment into Israel and overall business environment as key European partners seek to pressure government over its...

22.05.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Major lenders’ profits surge as banks cash in on wartime credit and fee growth

As households and businesses grapple with high cost of living, rising mortgage rates, and growing credit and loan needs during war, Bank Hapoalim and...

21.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Delta Airlines resumes flights to Israel, Lufthansa extends suspension

US carrier says it has conducted an ‘extensive security assessment’ while German group cites ‘current situation’ as reason for...

20.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israeli regulator calls for more competition as large banks cash in on hefty loan fees

Banking supervisor seeks to remove barriers for the entry of non-bank entities that will provide credit and saving tools, force current lenders to...

19.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Microsoft denies claim its AI tech was used by IDF during war to target Gazans

Tech giant says that after a thorough review, in response to protests from workers, it found no evidence that its Azure and AI tech have been used to...

19.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Restaurants struggle as reservations plummet amid grueling war mood, cost of living

Online restaurant bookings have dropped by 30% this year, while high-end chef restaurants grapple with a steeper decline of more than 50%, according...

16.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israeli-founded eToro debuts on Nasdaq at $4.3 billion valuation in long-awaited IPO

The online trading firm, which lets retail users buy and sell stocks, commodities, cryptoassets, hopes to raise $620 million from much-anticipated...

14.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Foreign airlines demand passenger compensation changes to lure them back to Israel

In letter to transportation minister, 20 carriers say aviation law providing indemnity for passengers was not designed for extended period of...

13.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Tel Aviv startup pulls in $110 million to become the ‘Microsoft of quantum computing’

Classiq has built a software platform to facilitate programming for quantum computers, which have the massive computational horsepower needed to...

12.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Israelis again isolated as airlines stay away: What will it take to woo them back?

Aviation experts are doubtful foreign carriers will resume flight services soon, unless the government restores confidence and amends cancellation...

12.05.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Regev meets with Israeli airline heads as cancellations strand citizens abroad

Foreign carriers continue to nix flights after Houthi attack on Ben Gurion Airport, with only half of airlines said to still be operating in Israel...

09.05.2025 50

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Risk of natural gas shortage will push up electricity prices, budget chief warns

Israel’s natural gas reserves for domestic use set to fall short of energy demand in next 25 years, Treasury says, urging reduced exports, greater...

08.05.2025 9

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Airlines further extend pauses on Israel flights, in sign they may stay away longer

Most carriers suspending their Tel Aviv route for days, with British Airways halting service until mid-June, after missile from Yemen landed inside...

07.05.2025 30

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

On Israel visit, Wiz investor commits to back local entrepreneurs and startups

New York-based venture firm Insight Partners, which opened its Tel Aviv office in 2019, has invested close to $6 billion in the Israeli tech ecosystem...

07.05.2025 10

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel

Foreign airlines extend suspension of Israel flights over Houthi missile attack

United, Lufthansa, Wizz Air lengthen cancellations after projectile struck inside Ben Gurion Airport; El Al announces price caps on one-way tickets to...

06.05.2025 20

The Times of Israel

Sharon Wrobel