JERUSALEM, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Israel raised 6 billion U.S. dollars in its first international bond offering since the ceasefire with Hamas took effect in October last year, marking the second-highest global public offering in Israel's history, the state's Finance Ministry said on Wednesday.
The offering attracted about 36 billion U.S. dollars -- six times the amount issued -- marking also the second-highest demand on record, which Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said "reflects the strength of the Israeli economy."
The offering consisted of new 5, 10, and 30-year bonds and drew around 300 investors from over 30 countries and regions, including Arab nations. The deal was underwritten by Bank of America, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, and J.P. Morgan.
The ministry noted that the issuance signals a return to pre-war financing conditions, supports Israel's financing needs for 2026, and provides a significant boost to the local market.
The Israeli government's 12-month deficit reached about 29 billion U.S. dollars, or 4.5 percent of its GDP, as of the end of November. ■
