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Apple Pay launches in Israel

Apple Pay

Following protracted negotiations over Apple's cut of Apple Pay transactions in the region, the service has now launched in Israel.

Eight years after its initial launch in the US, and after contentious disagreements over Apple's transaction cut, Apple Pay has now finally launched in Israel. It has yet to be launched by all banks in the country, but ones including mobile banking service Pepper have been preparing for it.

According to Israeli publication The Verifier, the service has officially begun rolling out, and is expected to reach all banks.

"The launch means that customers of all banks and credit card companies in Israel will now be able to add the credit card or direct debit card to the service," says The Verifier, in translation.

As well as negotiations over the per-transaction fee charged by Apple, Israel has also been updating its technology. In November 2020, businesses in the country began using the NFC contactless EMV standard, which enabled payment from tap-to-pay cards, and mobile devices.

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