Israelis Boost Holiday Spending Amid Price Hikes and Travel Surge

Israeli credit card spending surged by 10.3% on the eve of Rosh Hashanah this year compared to last year, according to data from Shva, the national debit and credit card payment system. This increase was partly attributed to Rosh Hashanah falling on a Friday this year, creating a concentrated shopping period, and a shorter window between August and September for preparations. Many Israelis were abroad or on vacation in August, unlike the previous year which was impacted by the ongoing war.

Total credit card expenditures within Israel on Friday, September 11, 2026, reached 1.462 billion shekels, an increase of approximately 137 million shekels from Rosh Hashanah eve in 2025. During the peak hour of 12:00 to 13:00 on the holiday eve, Israelis spent 197.131 million shekels, which Shva described as a "very unusual and high spending rate."

In the week leading up to Rosh Hashanah, overall spending across key sectors including aviation, food, electronics, and pharmaceuticals rose by 5.06%, totaling 5.9 billion shekels compared to 5.6 billion shekels in the same period last year. Travel agencies saw a significant 27.81% jump in credit card spending. Hotels and guest houses also experienced a 5.25% increase in spending. Conversely, spending on Israeli airlines decreased by 3.55%, likely due to the return of foreign carriers to routes from Israel.

Food retailers reported a 2.34% rise in credit card spending, reaching 1.877 billion shekels. While some retailers noted a slower start to the month, the overall increase suggests that price hikes throughout 2025 also contributed to higher spending. Spending in delicatessens, butcher shops, bakeries, and convenience stores increased by 2.31%. Restaurants and cafes saw a 3.44% rise, clothing and footwear 4%, leisure and entertainment 8.33%, pharmaceuticals and drugstores 8%, and electronics and appliances 9.65%.