Netanyahu Asks Lapid for Budget Support; Lapid Demands Halt to Haredi Funding

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Opposition Leader Yair Lapid for a security briefing on Monday, during which Netanyahu requested Lapid's support for opening the state budget to increase defense funding. The meeting included the head of the IDF Planning Directorate and the National Security Advisor, according to Lapid's office.

Lapid stated he supports strengthening the IDF and approving the funds, but not by raising taxes on the middle class and reservists. Instead, he proposed that the government cancel "corrupt coalition funds" and billions of shekels allocated to finance what he termed "Haredi draft evasion." Lapid asserted that if these conditions are met, his party would support the proposal in the Knesset.

The defense budget crisis has deepened recently, with senior military officials, including the Chief of Staff, warning of empty coffers and unfulfilled promises of increased funding to NIS 183 billion. These warnings highlight significant budget shortfalls resulting from operations in Gaza, conflict with Iran, and other fronts, leading to the freezing of strategic procurement deals and severe impacts on the equipment of ground forces and the air force.

Defense establishment figures have recently rejected claims of a lack of oversight from the Finance Ministry, presenting numerous key projects that have collapsed or been delayed due to a lack of financial certainty. Notable among these are the cancellation of an advanced combat helicopter deal with the United States and a growing shortage of essential weaponry, all-terrain vehicles, and tank spare parts, underscoring the severe challenges facing the defense system amid multi-front threats.