Israel's parliament passed its largest-ever $270 billion budget in a marathon overnight session, allowing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to complete its term until October elections. The budget includes a 20% increase for the Ministry of Defense, bringing it to $45 billion due to ongoing wars with Iran and Hezbollah.
Key Takeaways
Israel's parliament passed its largest-ever $270 billion budget in an overnight session, allowing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to complete his term until October elections. The budget includes significant increases for defense and settlements amid ongoing wars with Iran and Hezbollah.
- Israel passes record $270B budget in marathon parliamentary session
- Defense funding increased by 20% to $45 billion due to ongoing conflicts
- Budget allocates $129.5 million to Ministry of Settlement for West Bank projects
- Controversial last-minute amendment provides $255 million to ultra-Orthodox schools
- Opposition leader Yair Lapid calls budget 'the greatest theft in the state’s history'
The budget passed 62-55, with opposition parties criticizing increased funding to Israel's ultra-Orthodox communities amid soaring war costs. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called it the greatest theft in the state’s history
, while former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticized a last-minute amendment providing an additional $250 million to ultra-Orthodox schools.
The budget's passage comes as Israel continues its military campaign against Iran and faces intensifying conflicts with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Recent opinion polls indicate that while Israelis overwhelmingly support the war, Netanyahu and his political coalition are not benefiting politically. The defense budget increase has forced cuts in other government ministries.
According to Al Jazeera, a significant portion of the budget is allocated to supporting Israeli settlers establishing outposts and settlements in the West Bank. This includes $129.5 million for the Ministry of Settlement and National Missions, which authorizes illegal Jewish-only settlements on Palestinian land. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been granted sweeping administrative powers over the occupied territory.
The budget also includes controversial measures to secure political support from ultra-Orthodox factions, with a last-minute amendment redirecting approximately $255 million to Haredi yeshivas. This move bypasses legal blocks related to military conscription of ultra-Orthodox men and is seen as an insurance policy for Netanyahu's political survival.
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