country. I just buy some Magic instant soup (which tastes better than any we have here) and spaghetti as well as some eggs to keep me happy. I top it off with Tirush Carmel. Then again, we get prepared meals at our kibbutzim (depending on the kibbutz they're either good or inedible)

Its a basic need and as long as you stifle competition expect to pay more for this basic need. What needs to happen is that government regulation needs to be loosened. Governments thru their constant meddling do more damage to any one industry then you can imagine. Get off the backs of the producers..Let them do what they do best. Let them compete and in due time prices will fall to a supply and demand level. Finally food is expensive if it is bought cooked or prepared. Buy it raw, cook it, bake it and you will see its not that expensive.

Food in Israel is not epensive The prices are only the high profits that the shops are cheating from the people. There is NO MONLOPY and the government is happy to grab more of the loose change from the population.

That is why a lot of people live below poverty line in this country. Children are going to bed hungry because parents can't afford to feed them. The system needs to change. The monopolies must be broken and business competition should be encouraged. The government needs to shake off the backwards socialist mentality and develop a more democratic capitalist friendly system. Protexia/nepotism needs to be abolished and institution of business ethics code must b mandated by employers.Employees should be given an opportunity to prove their worth and be paid accordingly. The greed must stop. The banks should only have limited power over the public sector.Business engaging in unethical practices and taking advantage of the consumer should be investigated. There needs to be progress in customer service as well.Business need to create plans that are mutually beneficial for them and the consumers. Only then we'll witness more affordable productive living in Israel.

that the 'socail justice' movement is poilitical in nature only. It was invented for political change only. It does not have the interest of the population in mind. Dont be fooled by this movement. Open competion is the only answer to the high price situation is Israel.

That is nothing but disgusting! Netanyahu was supposed to abolish last year but, well, another Netanyahu broken promise!

My maid picks up whatever we need from the different markets, whether we are here or abroad, so what is the problem I just don't understand?

The whole world economy is totally manipulated. There is no freemarket capitalism. Israel, unlike Germany or Canada, was never intended to be a paradise for Jews. It is a money-maker for the Jewish elite in the arms industry. And it is in their interest to keep Israel fighting with Arabs forever and ever. Wake up people, you being used!

funnier.

What needs to happen is more government regulation and intervention...not as you suggest, that's what's been happening. The problem in Israel is collusion. There is no fair market here because there isn't enough competition and those that control the various industries work together to keep anyone else out of it. You sound like so many American republicans who think that the lame-duck arguments that you apply to American economic policy also applies to Israel. It doesn't...and for the record, it doesn't apply for American economics either. Want proof? look at all of the major financial scandals/collapses in American history...nearly all of them were preceded by deregulation in their respective industries.