Inflation 1.8 Percent During The First Five Months Of 1998.

The consumer price index in Israel rose 0.4 percent in May 1998 and has totaled 1 .8 percent for the first five months of 1998. The June index, which will be published on July 15, is expected to drop by 0.1 percent and July's index is also expected to be negative. The falling consumer price index is a result of lower housing prices, declines in fruit and vegetable prices, transportation and communications costs. For the past twelve months inflation has been 5.0 percent. The May 1998 increase was the lowest consumer price increase for the month of May since 1993 and points to an infl