Financial

In a recent OECD report, Israel has claimed the unenviable top spot for the highest cost of living among member countries, with prices soaring 38% above the OECD average. Despite efforts to mitigate the impact through compensatory measures targeting specific voter groups, experts argue that the underlying issue of economic centralization remains largely unaddressed

Israel's Ministry of Agriculture has granted approval for the import of 28 million eggs from Ukraine, Spain, and Poland to avert any potential shortage during the upcoming holidays. Despite recent fluctuations in the exchange rate of the dollar and the euro, consumers will not face increased costs, as the imported egg prices will remain stable through vigilant monitoring

The Monetary Committee of the Bank of Israel has chosen, for the second consecutive time, to keep the interest rate steady at 4.75%. This decision aligns with market expectations and comes amid a backdrop of dwindling inflation, which dropped to 3.3% in July, juxtaposed with concerning signs of an economic slowdown

The Bank of Israel has reported a staggering loss of over $2 billion in August, stemming from its management of Israel's foreign exchange reserves. The losses have raised concerns about the central bank's investment strategies, prompting questions about the stability of the nation's financial assets

Last week, a groundbreaking achievement marked the inauguration of Israel's largest floating solar project, situated atop water reservoirs in Kibbutz Ma'ayan Zvi near Zichron Ya'akov. This ambitious endeavor, spearheaded by the Carmel Coast Water Association, in collaboration with Tralight and Synergy, boasts a remarkable capacity of 31 megawatts. With a total estimated cost of approximately NIS 130 million, this initiative is poised to reshape the country's renewable energy landscape.

Bank of Israel has revealed plans to sell up to $30 billion of its foreign exchange reserves in response to the ongoing security crisis. This marks the first time such a move has been made since the initiation of free trading in the exchange rate. The announcement came even before trading in the dollar opened, aimed at preemptively addressing potential market overreactions

Bank of Israel has unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at providing financial relief to the public in the wake of ongoing regional conflict. This plan, set to be in effect for at least three months, divides the population into two groups with varying levels of support

Since the outbreak of the war, nearly 7,000 foreign workers have left Israel, posing a significant challenge to the country's labor force. According to data collected by the Administration of Foreign Workers at the Population and Immigration Authority, the departure of foreign workers is affecting various sectors of the economy

In response to the ongoing "Iron Swords" war, Israel's Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, and Defense Minister, Yoav Galant, have unveiled a comprehensive financial aid package aimed at supporting the nation's reserve officers and those affected by the conflict. This financial relief package, contingent upon government approval, includes a range of benefits to ease the economic burdens resulting from the war

As the fifth week of fighting continues in the region, Israel is facing a high level of uncertainty on the military front, while the home front shows signs of adjusting to a new normal. Despite the ongoing conflict, there has been a notable increase in credit card purchases in the past two weeks, although they remain approximately 20% lower than pre-war levels. Traffic on the roads has also resumed with a partial return to school