The Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) has announced the closure of its trading floor and a shift to emergency operations following the outbreak of direct conflict between Israel and Iran. The decision, made in response to escalating security concerns, comes after Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets early Friday, prompting missile retaliation from Iran — some of which have struck areas near the IDE in Ramat Gan, just outside Tel Aviv.

In a statement released in Hebrew on Saturday, the IDE confirmed that it would operate in “emergency mode,” suspending regular activities and closing multiple facilities within the exchange complex. Services that are considered non-essential—including the bourse management offices, post office, import and export departments, the diamond controller’s office, maintenance services, restaurants, cafés, and bank branches—will remain shut until further notice.

Access to the IDE complex has also been restricted. Entry is now limited to the Shimshon building only, with all other entrances closed. The Maccabi and Yahalom parking lots, along with the office responsible for issuing bourse access tags, have also been temporarily closed.

The safety deposit room located in the Shimshon building will remain operational, but only until 2 p.m. daily, and solely for the purpose of depositing goods. “We recommend that companies and members transfer their goods to the secure safe room in the Shimshon building for optimal protection,” IDE advised in its statement.

In a separate communication issued on Friday, the exchange cautioned members about the limitations of most insurance policies, noting that damages resulting from war or terrorist activities are typically not covered. Members were urged to review their insurance coverage carefully and explore whether they might qualify for compensation under Israel’s property tax regulations in the event of a loss.

The IDE stressed that it will continue to closely monitor developments in the security situation and will update its guidelines accordingly to ensure the safety of its members and their assets.

Meanwhile, the Home Front Command, responsible for civil protection in Israel, has prohibited all non-essential public gatherings nationwide as missile threats persist. The missile attacks mark a significant escalation in regional tensions, drawing concerns from international observers and impacting critical sectors like Israel’s diamond trade.

The Israel Diamond Exchange is one of the world’s leading centers for diamond trading, and any disruption to its operations has wide-ranging implications for the global diamond supply chain. The current closure highlights the vulnerability of even highly secure economic institutions in times of geopolitical instability.