Israel’s cost of living index rose by 0.2 percent in January, the lowest increase in 18 months, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.
Drops in fruit and vegetable prices, which decreased by 10.5 percent, were major factors contributing to the low increase in the index, as were clothing and shoe prices, which dropped by more than 5 percent.
Housing prices, however, rose by 1.6 percent for the month.
After the release of the January figures, the statistics bureau initiated a policy to stop providing an advance release of the monthly cost-of-living statistics to the prime minister and to Israeli business leadership.
The step was taken in an effort to prevent leaks to the media.
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