TEL AVIV: The International Monetary Fund lowered its estimate for Israel’s economic growth in 2026 to 3.5 percent from a prior 4.8 percent, it said on Wednesday citing regional tensions. In a report, the IMF also expects inflation to rise temporarily due to higher energy prices and supply constraints despite shekel appreciation to a more than three-decade peak against the dollar. “The elevated regional tensions are casting a shadow on Israel’s economy,” it said, referring to conflicts with Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.

Fund warns low employment among Haredi men and Arab women has become a macroeconomic risk, urging core studies, job training and fewer incentives to stay out of work

TEL AVIV: The International Monetary Fund lowered its estimate for Israel’s economic growth in 2026 to 3.5 percent from a prior 4.8 percent, it said on Wednesday citing regional…