Netanyahu makes cost-of-living promise ahead of Israeli election

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives before a vote to dissolve the Israeli parliament, also known as the Knesset, in Jerusalem December 8, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - In nearly nine years as Israel's prime minister spread over three terms, Benjamin Netanyahu has been a security hawk, promising to do whatever it takes to combat the threat from Palestinian militants or a nuclear-armed Iran.

But as he opened his campaign for a fourth term ahead of elections set for March 17, Netanyahu stepped away from his security base to make a pitch for the large number of Israelis who are more worried about the high cost of living.