Economy · Full coverage

Economic Deep State in Israel Drives High Living Costs Through Regulation and Market Concentration

How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.

100% center
Center 2

First reported by Walla · 2 hours ago

What happened

Professor Moshe Cohen-Eliyahu reveals that Israel's high living costs stem from an entrenched economic deep state of regulation, market concentration, and interest groups. This system inflates prices across sectors like food, cars, and housing, with government control and regulatory capture limiting competition. Addressing these issues requires systemic reforms to break up concentrated power and open markets.

  • 01Israel’s high living costs result from entrenched regulation and market concentration, not secret cartels.
  • 02Price gaps of up to 226% exist between direct and parallel imports of identical products.
  • 03Direct importers control over 97% of Israel’s car market despite reform efforts.
  • 04Housing supply is constrained by government control and lengthy planning processes lasting up to 13 years.
  • 05The revolving door between regulators and industry aligns incumbent interests with public narratives.
  • 06Reforms must dismantle this economic deep state to reduce prices and increase competition.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

Full coverage · 2 outlets

The same event, reported separately by each newsroom. Open a few to compare what each emphasizes — and what they leave out.

MaarivCenter · Hebrew1 hour ago
Economic Deep State in Israel Drives High Living Costs Through Regulation and Market Concentration
WallaCenter · Hebrew2 hours ago
Israel’s Economic Deep State Drives High Prices Despite Strong Growth Forecasts

Related stories

Former Israeli Treasury Comptroller Yaron Zelekha Blames Monopolies, Not Ultra-Orthodox, for High Living CostsJul 9, 2026Israel Rises to Second Most Expensive Country in Big Mac Index Amid High Living CostsAug 3, 2026Dairy Shortages Highlight Israel's Highly Concentrated Food Market and Regulatory FailuresJul 19, 2026Despite High Living Costs, Israelis Maintain Lavish Spending HabitsAug 8, 2026Experts Urge Bold Structural Reforms to Sustain Israel’s Economic Growth and Living StandardsJul 19, 2026Israeli Agriculture Faces Decline and Price Surges Amid Market Concentration and Import LimitsJul 23, 2026