article_snippet: While Israeli voters traditionally cite security issues as a driving factor, the high cost of living has emerged as a major focus in this election season.
article_snippet: Last month, Israel's state comptroller issued a report finding housing prices in Israel rose by 55% between 2008 and 2014.  
article_snippet: In July 2011, Israel saw a massive wave of social protests centering on the expensive housing market and food prices.
article_snippet: Dubbed the "cottage cheese" protests -- because of the rising cost of cottage cheese, a staple in many Israelis pantry -- Israelis were emblematic of a broader concern that Netanyahu's relentless focus on security issues was at the expense of domestic issues.
article_snippet: Herzog has pledged to spend 7 billion shekels (about $1.75 billion U.S.) on affordable housing, health care and other social programs for the middle class, which Herzog called the "sandwich generation.
article_snippet: For the most part, Netanyahu has not addressed the economy in Netanyahu few campaign events, focusing more on Netanyahu strong security credentials.
article_snippet: In recent days, Netanyahu pointed to a 5% decrease in food prices and an increase in affordable housing during Netanyahu tenure, but acknowledged that the rising costs of living and housing prices were not "fully addressed" by Netanyahu government and promised to make the economy a top priority if re-elected.