Al Jazeera reported that despite three years of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Israel's economy remains strong, with GDP growth of 1% in 2024, 2.9% in 2025, and 3.2% in the first half of 2026. The Bank of Israel projects full-year growth of 4% in 2026 and 5.5% in 2027. Over the past three years, the Israeli Shekel has strengthened against the US dollar, and the TA-125 stock index has risen by over 110%. The unemployment rate remains at 2.8%, and inflation is at 1.5%. However, food prices increased by 8% from early 2024 to mid-2026, and the high cost of living has raised concerns among voters.