TEL AVIV, Israel — Following a marathon overnight session, Israel’s parliament successfully passed its annual budget on Monday, a critical move that is expected to allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to remain in power until the fall, thereby circumventing the need for early elections.
The legislative approval, which was required before an April 1 deadline to prevent snap elections, grants the current administration a period of stability. Despite this, Prime Minister Netanyahu retains the authority to call for early elections if he chooses.
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A Contentious Financial Plan
The budget’s passage was met with strong condemnation from Israel’s opposition, particularly concerning increased allocations for ultra-Orthodox communities. Critics argued that such funding was irresponsible at a time when the nation faces escalating expenses from its conflict with Iran and is still recovering from a two-year war in Gaza.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid denounced the budget as “the greatest theft in the state’s history.” Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who is widely anticipated to challenge Netanyahu in future elections, echoed this sentiment on X, labeling it a “nocturnal heist” perpetrated by a “government of gluttony and evasion.”
A specific point of contention was a last-minute amendment that funnelled an additional $250 million to ultra-Orthodox schools. Public frustration has been growing towards the ultra-Orthodox community over their general exemption from mandatory military service, especially as the military faces immense strain and a critical need for more personnel.
Conversely, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defended the budget, stating that it “tak[es] care of all Israeli citizens, without exception.” The budget ultimately passed with a vote of 62-55.
Wartime Spending and Political Implications
The newly approved $270 billion budget, marking Israel’s largest to date, includes a substantial 20% increase for the Ministry of Defense, elevating its allocation to $45 billion. This significant boost is a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict with Iran, necessitating cuts across other government ministries.
Recent public opinion polls indicate that while there is widespread support among Israelis for the war effort, this sentiment has not translated into increased popularity for Prime Minister Netanyahu or his political coalition. The continuous missile attacks from Iran continue to disrupt daily life for millions, adding to public anxiety and fatigue. Furthermore, the escalating conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon and its impact on global oil markets underscore the volatile regional environment.
With elections mandated by the end of October, delaying them until the fall could offer Netanyahu an opportunity to leverage any potential positive developments from the Iran conflict, particularly if the immediacy of missile sirens fades from public memory. However, this timing would also place the election campaign close to the anniversary of the devastating October 7 attack, the worst in Israel’s history.
The parliamentary session itself was interrupted three times by missile sirens warning of incoming projectiles from Iran, necessitating a relocation to an auditorium closer to a bomb shelter. Concurrently, Israel’s military has extended its wartime guidelines, which restrict large gatherings and mandate proximity to bomb shelters, for an additional week, encompassing at least the initial phase of the upcoming weeklong Passover holiday.
