Netanyahu, Lapid Clash Over Military Budget Amid Election Campaign

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday for a security briefing, seeking political support for significant military budget increases during the election period. Netanyahu aimed to persuade Lapid to back budgetary changes, with the IDF's Deputy Chief of Staff, Tamir Heyman, initially intended to be present to provide professional data.

Lapid expressed support for bolstering the IDF's finances but insisted that the additional funds should come from "coalition funds" rather than tax increases on the middle class and reservists. He specifically proposed canceling "corrupt coalition funds" and billions allocated to the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community, stating that such measures would secure his support for the proposal in the Knesset.

The Prime Minister's office stated that increased state revenues, due to the government's economic policy, have led to a lower-than-expected deficit, allowing for a military budget increase without raising taxes. They also refuted Lapid's claims about coalition and Haredi funding, calling them "baseless and false" and accusing Lapid of "cheap political considerations" that endanger national security.

Netanyahu argues that the substantial sums require explicit legislative amendment, necessitating opposition consent even during an election campaign. The push for a budget increase stems from the IDF's ongoing security needs and extraordinary expenses incurred due to the war. The opposition, however, questions the need for a budget increase, suggesting that existing funds, particularly coalition allocations, could be reallocated.