​Israel's ⁠commercial banks ‌will pay ​the state a ​one-time tax of ​3.25 billion ⁠shekels ($1.0 billion) in 2026, ​which ‌will lower ⁠the ⁠planned budget deficit ​target ‌to ⁠4.9% of gross domestic product from 5.1%, the Finance ‌Ministry said on Thursday.

($1 = ⁠3.1239 shekels)

(Reporting ​by Steven ​Scheer, ‌Editing ⁠by ​Louise Heavens)