Netanyahu opens first Carrefour supermarket in Israel, promises price drop

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Bet Shemesh to open the first Carrefour supermarket in Israel, promising the move will help bring down Israel’s soaring cost of living.

The French supermarket chain plans to open its first 50 stores across Israel in the coming year.

In a video posted to Twitter, Netanyahu calls the move a “huge achievement” for Israel and says it will increase competition and bring down prices for consumers.

Netanyahu also touts the approval of Israel adopting EU regulatory standards, meaning products won’t have to be re-approved in Israel.

“Prices will drop, they will come down by dozens of percent for hundreds of products,” he optimistically predicts.

Israel has seen sharply rising costs of living for more than a decade and various government plans have done little to dent the rising prices.

Former finance minister Avigdor Liberman slams Netanyahu for trying to take credit for the work of the previous government.

“Instead of posting videos, the time has come for action, enough of your lies,” Liberman says.

Tel Aviv will welcome nine branches, Herzliya four, Netanya four, Beersheba three, Ashdod three and Haifa three, in addition to store openings in Jerusalem and dozens in smaller communities across the country.