Netanyahu Seeks Budget Revision for Defense; Lapid Demands Cuts to Haredi Funding
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Prime Minister Netanyahu asked to revise the budget for increased defense spending, but Opposition Leader Lapid conditioned his support on canceling coalition funds for the Haredi sector.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu requested budget revision for defense funding.
- Lapid supports defense boost but demands Haredi fund cuts.
- Lapid opposes tax hikes on middle class for defense.
- The proposal was discussed during a security briefing.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested a revision of the state budget during a security briefing with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, aiming to allocate additional funds to the defense establishment. Lapid expressed support for bolstering the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) but conditioned his backing on reallocating funds, specifically proposing the cancellation of coalition funds directed towards the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) sector.
According to Lapid's office, he told Netanyahu that while he supports increasing defense spending, the source of the funds should not be increased taxes on the middle class and reservists. Instead, Lapid suggested that canceling "corrupt coalition funds" and the "tens of billions of shekels" currently used to finance Haredi draft evasion would be an acceptable alternative, enabling his support for the budget revision in the Knesset (parliament).
Netanyahu and Lapid met for a security update, during which the budget proposal was discussed. The specifics of the defense funding increase were not detailed, but the core of the disagreement centered on the proposed funding source and Lapid's demand to redirect Haredi-allocated funds.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 5Right 3Haredi 2Arab 1Other 2
