Business in Brief

The High Court of Justice ruled yesterday that foreign TV channels aired on HOT and Yes may not broadcast advertisements aimed at Israeli viewers. The ruling was given in response to a petition by Russian-language channel Israel Plus against a decision by the Cable and Satellite TV Council. The council's decision had stipulated that 25 percent of a channel's advertising content could be aimed at Israeli viewers, as long as the channel was an international one and not broadcasting specifically to Israel. Israel Plus has been campaigning against advertising on foreign channels since it was founded three years ago. (Ronny Koren-Dinar)

Solar energy-related exports rose five percent in 2005 and totaled some $230 million, according to figures published yesterday by the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute. The institute estimated that 2006 exports in the sector would rise a further 8 percent for the year, to $245 million. The institute has recently launched a drive to help exports of alternative energy-related products, such as solar energy, and energy from municipal waste. (Sharon Kedmi)