Israel's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.3% in March, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported.
Analysts had estimated March inflation at 0.1%. Inflation year-to-date is minus 0.5%.
In the twelve months leading to March, the index rose 1.3%. There were notable rises in March in the housing maintenance item (0.9%); culture and entertainment (0.4%); and transport (0.4%).
The housing services item, which covers rents, rose by 1.2%. Fuel price rose 2.2%. The clothing and footwear item fell 1.5%; fresh vegetables and fruit fell 0.4%; and the health item fell 0.3%.
