Opposition Leader Offers Support for IDF Budget on Condition of Cutting Coalition Funds

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has stated he will support a budget increase for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agrees to cancel coalition funds and money allocated to the ultra-Orthodox community, instead of raising taxes. The offer came during a security briefing between Lapid and Netanyahu on Monday.

Lapid told Netanyahu, "I am in favor of the proposal and support the transfer of funds because the IDF must be strengthened." However, he added, "The budgetary source cannot be a tax increase on the middle class and reservists, which is where you are leading. Instead, include in the proposal the cancellation of corrupt coalition funds and the tens of billions of shekels you are currently transferring to fund Haredi draft evasion, and we will support the proposal in the Knesset as well."

Netanyahu's appeal to Lapid follows repeated warnings from the IDF about its readiness being compromised due to the delayed budget. Last month, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi stated during a multi-arena assessment that the army is unfortunately engaged in a "battle over the budget" and facing an "empty coffer" while stretched across all fronts, which harms its preparedness. Halevi emphasized that protecting Israel's security is the sole consideration and they will not be drawn into issues that could divert focus and readiness.

This is not the first time Lapid has criticized the allocation of funds to the ultra-Orthodox. In late March, following the state budget's approval, Lapid condemned the coalition for adding hundreds of millions of shekels to Haredi parties at the last minute, calling them "a pathetic gang of thieves disconnected from the people." Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also criticized the move as a "midnight robbery" and a "hijacking" that added funds to Haredi education which he claimed encourages draft evasion.