Israel's 12-month budget deficit shrinks for 1st time amid conflicts

JERUSALEM, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Israel recorded a budget deficit of 11.2 billion shekels (about 3 billion U.S. dollars) for October, the Finance Ministry said on Monday.

The deficit for the 12 months to October dipped to 7.9 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), from 8.5 percent over the 12 months to September, the ministry reported in a press release.