Government Seeks Stop on Bread Price Hikes

By Hamodia Staff

YERUSHALAYIM — Israel’s interim government put the brakes on a plan to raise the price of regulated bread, after announcing its intention to implement a 20 percent increase last week.

Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Economy and Industry Minister Orna Barbivay held a discussion on the matter on Sunday afternoon, where Lapid declared that the objective of the meeting was “completely halting the increase in the price of a basic loaf of bread.” 

Several economic and legislative proposals were raised to avoid an increase, which would add significantly to the financial burden of Israeli families already struggling with inflation, including price rises in electricity, gas, eggs and other commodities.

Lapid instructed the Finance Ministry Budget Director to come back in three days with a proposal on the optimal working plan for halting the increase in the price of a basic loaf of bread.

White bread, dark bread and challos were on the hike list.

Bread producers, including Berman’s and Angel Bakeries welcomed the increase, saying that otherwise they would have to lay off hundreds of workers due to the soaring cost of flour and fuel.