Wave of price rises and tax hikes takes effect, fueling costs for Israelis in 2026 |
When the clock struck midnight in Israel on Wednesday night, the country ushered in not just 2026 but also a series of price hikes, utility cost rises and tax increases that will hit Israelis’ pockets and shrink their available income, as many households are already struggling to make ends meet after a two-year war amid a high cost of living.
Beginning January 1, the price of electricity will climb by about 1.5 percent. As a result, the electricity bill of an average family can be expected to increase around NIS 6-10 ($2-3) each month, depending on usage and season.
The price of cooking gas will go up by 5%. If a household spends an average of NIS 70-90 a month on gas, the increase will bolster the monthly bill by about NIS 3-5, depending on the size of the family.
Water tariffs will increase by up to 2.5%. For an average household of four, this translated into an increase of about NIS 3-5 per monthly bill.
The hikes in utility costs are........