The Council of Carriers and Bus Operators has written urgently to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, asking the government to step in and ease the cost of diesel for the transport sector.

The warning

In the letter, council chairman Gabi Ben-Harush says the fuel price rise that came into force on October 1, 2026 puts trucking and bus companies at real risk of financial collapse. He adds that the extra costs will end up with consumers and push up Israel's cost of living.

Costs keep climbing

According to the council's economic department, the sector's operating costs have risen:

8.47% in the six months from April to September 2026

13.73% in the 12 months from October 2025 to September 2026

15.37% in total over the 24 months from October 2024 to September 2026

Diesel accounts for more than 35% of the sector's operating costs, so every change at the pump hits companies' finances straight away.

What the council wants

The council describes the jump in costs as a national issue that requires government action. It is asking for a balanced solution that gives the sector a transition period and some stability, which it says would also protect consumers, and it has requested an urgent meeting with the minister.

What it means for importers

Inland haulage from Ashdod and Haifa ports to warehouses is closely tied to diesel prices. Importers should be ready for possible fuel surcharges or rate increases from trucking companies and factor them into landed costs.