About two months after Israel’s Economy and Industry Ministry launched the “Cheapest Basket of Israel” program with Carrefour, Minister Nir Barkat said the data show a major shift in consumer behavior and stronger competition in the food market. He said, “The data prove that the public votes with its cart. The Israeli public proved it is not a sucker,” adding that the rush to the basket forced rival chains to cut prices. Barkat also accused monopolies and wealthy interests of using Channel 12 to try to sabotage the program, and called on the public to keep buying online or at the program’s 54 stores.