The move is aimed to bring Israel in line with Western countries, through  graduated imposition of a tax of NIS 37 per liter of pure alcohol
 
Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz signed a directive last week that change the purchase tax structure for alcoholic beverages in Israel.
 
The move is aimed to bring Israel in line with most Western countries, through the graduated imposition of a tax of NIS 37 per liter of pure alcohol by 2014.
 
From March 1, 2010 until 2014 the purchase tax will amount to NIS 20 per liter of alcohol and an additional 75% of the wholesale price. From 2014 onwards the tax will rise to NIS 80 per liter of alcohol but without a percentage of the wholesale price.
 
The Tax Authority said that there will be no change on the price of beer and wine, which are excluded from the tax reform.