Four years later: Did Netanyahu's gov't deliver on its many 2022 campaign promises? - analysis

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition has completed a full four-year term, providing a unique opportunity to assess its performance against the campaign promises made in 2022. Unlike previous coalitions that often collapsed early, this government's stability allows for a concrete evaluation of its accomplishments beyond mere pledges.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a fixture of Israeli politics for so long that his campaign promises can start to blur into one another, as every time elections roll around, the country hears a familiar chorus of pledges on cost of living, security, and reform that's been sung for years.

One central promise focused on lowering the cost of living. In 2022, Israel was ranked by the OECD as the most expensive developed country, with price levels significantly above the average. While the minimum wage and average household income have seen increases since then, Israel continues to be ranked among the five most expensive nations globally. Housing and food remain primary drivers of high prices, and nearly 2 million Israelis, including many children and seniors, lived below the poverty line in 2022. Although inflation has moderated to within the Bank of Israel's target range, the overall cost of living remains a significant challenge.

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For the first time, Netanyahu has carried a coalition through a full four-year term without it collapsing early. That staying power makes this a rare moment to ask a question that usually gets cut short by early elections: not 'what did he promise,' but 'what did this coalition actually accomplish with the time it had?'

Another key pledge involved expanding free education for children from birth to three years old. The government committed NIS 2 billion to building state-funded daycare centers and providing subsidies for parents. This initiative aimed to ease the financial burden on families and encourage parents to return to the workforce. While the program has seen some implementation, with centers established and students enrolled, the October 7th events and subsequent conflict caused considerable disruptions. Funds were diverted to emergency war recovery efforts, impacting the program's full rollout and accessibility.

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When Netanyahu promised to lower the cost of living in 2022, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) had Israel ranked as the most expensive developed country in the world.

The analysis suggests that while some progress has been made on specific promises, such as the expansion of early childhood education and modest economic adjustments, the overarching goal of significantly reducing the cost of living has not been fully realized. The coalition's longevity has provided the time to attempt these initiatives, but persistent economic challenges and unforeseen events like the recent conflict have complicated their success.

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In April 2023, Netanyahu announced that his plan would include committing NIS 2 billion to building state-funded daycare centers, as well as subsidies for parents to help pay for childcare.