Since independence, israel's economy has suffered at times because of a focus on

Israel is surrounded by enemies so they had to spend a lot of money on weapons for DEFENSE.

Commas

Explanation:

Victor was standing in the driest place on Earth. In some parts of the Atacama Desert, not a single drop of water had been seen for decades. On his back, Victor's gear seemed especially heavy. He had food, clothes, and water for the next 250 kilometers. Could he make it? Yes, he could. While he waited for the race to begin, Victor's heart pounded. Above the desert, wispy clouds crossed the deep blue sky.