Israel’s foreign currency reserves jumped by roughly $3 billion in May 2026, reaching a record $238.7 billion, the Bank of Israel said Sunday.
The central bank disclosed that alongside valuation gains on its foreign assets, it also conducted a targeted intervention in the currency market totaling $801 million.
The reserves now stand at 37.2% of Israel’s gross domestic product (GDP), reflecting the strength of the economy’s financial cushion during a period marked by uncertainty in local and international markets.
Bank of Israel officials said most of the increase—about $2.685 billion—came from revaluation of the bank’s foreign currency holdings. The remaining $801 million came from direct foreign currency purchases.
According to the bank’s statement, the purchases were made “on an ad hoc basis in order to maintain the continued regular activity of the markets,” which indicates proactive intervention by the Bank of Israel in the foreign exchange market during the month of May.
The data is published against a backdrop of volatility in the financial markets and the Bank of Israel’s continued monitoring of the stability of the shekel and the financial system, with foreign exchange reserves continuing to be a key tool in the Bank’s ability to deal with economic shocks and support economic stability.