News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Rising crude oil prices have contributed to another rise in the price of electricity following a drop of almost three percent last month. The new price structure will take effect on Tuesday and will reflect a 4.15 percent price hike.

Gasoline prices went up last month, and the increases will put upward pressure on the consumer price index for March. A high inflation rate will make it more difficult for Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Stanley Fischer to drop the interest rate as part of a strategy to continue strong economic growth.