Netanyahu Policies Blamed in Israeli Report on Home Prices

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is responsible for failing to stop a surge in home prices, according to a report published as the premier’s election rivals attack him on the issue.

Israeli home prices jumped 55 percent between 2008 and 2013, while rental costs increased 30 percent during that period, according to the study released Wednesday by the State Comptroller’s Office. The rise continued in 2014 with another 5 percent gain, even as the government sought to make more land available and accelerate building.