Israel Faces 11% Price Surge Since Government Formation Amid Unmet Economic Promises

Since the current Israeli government took office, prices have surged by 11%, with food costs rising 15%, highlighting a significant gap between government promises and reality. Despite pledges to dismantle monopolies, the Finance Minister has not taken action to break up any monopolies, a key commitment in the government's foundational guidelines. Fuel prices have remained relatively stable over the past four years, with only a minimal increase from 8.07 to 8.08 shekels per liter.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's promise to provide free education for children aged zero to three has not been fulfilled, as private kindergarten fees continue to rise without improvement in service quality. This failure adds to the growing concerns about the cost of living.

Internationally, Israel ranks as the second most expensive country in the Economist's "Big Mac Index," trailing only Switzerland, indicating the high cost of consumer goods. The government established a "Cost of Living Cabinet" to address these issues, but it has convened rarely since the government's inception, limiting its effectiveness in tackling the economic challenges faced by Israeli citizens.