Bank Leumi economists predict unemployment in 2009 will reach 8% nationwide. Unemployment in the fourth quarter of 2008 was recorded at 6.3%.

**6,100 housing units have been approved between Tel Aviv and Ramat HaSharon.

**Keter Plastic in Carmiel has closed its plant, laying off 200.

**Ohf HaEmek poultry in Ramat Yishai has dismissed 200 workers.

**Netafim located in Kibbutz Chatzarim fired 100 workers.

**Gibor Sport and Active Wear in Kiryat Shmona has closed, resulting in 450 workers losing their jobs. The factory relocated to Jordan. 

**Atmor in Kiryat Shmona laid off 70 workers.

**Rimoni Plast in Kiryat Shmona laid off 70 workers.

**Delta in Carmiel has laid off 50 workers.

**Milomor in Akko has laid off 40 workers.

**Kodak in Petach Tikvah laid off 200 workers.

**Tower in Migdal Ha’emek laid off 200 workers.

**Alliance Tire in Chadera laid off 260 workers.

**Converse Technology in another wave of layoffs is expected to dismiss additional workers in Tel Aviv following layoffs of hundreds in the past two years from the Israel office. Converse International announced 400-500 workers will lose their jobs in the next wave and the company may move to a 4-day work week. The number of jobs to be lost in Tel Aviv is not known at this time.

**Israir is giving serious consideration to ending meals on international flights except for passengers who are willing to pay for the service. The ailing airline also plans to return an Airbus after it decided to scale down operations.

**Globes reports the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Four Seasons hotel company cannot build apartments on the upper floors of its planned hotel in Jerusalem. The hotel will be built on land between the German Colony and the Liberty Bell Park.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)