Lapid Uses Security Briefing to Attack Netanyahu's Budget Policies

Opposition leader Yair Lapid expressed support for additional funding for the defense establishment during a security briefing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but used the opportunity to criticize the government's budget and ultra-Orthodox conscription policies. Lapid stated he backed strengthening the IDF but argued that the funds should not come from raising taxes on the middle class and reservists.

Lapid proposed that coalition funds and billions allocated to the ultra-Orthodox community, which he termed "corrupt coalition funds" and "funding the Haredi draft-dodging," should be canceled instead. He suggested that if these changes were made, the opposition would support the budget increase in the Knesset.

The security briefing was attended by the National Security Advisor and the head of the Planning Directorate in the IDF. Netanyahu had requested to open the budget law to transfer additional funds to the security system.