Lappi Demands End to Haredi Benefits for Defense Budget Support

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has conditioned his support for additional defense budget allocations on the cancellation of coalition funds directed towards the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) sector. The demand emerged during a security briefing between Lapid and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where Netanyahu requested Lapid's approval to reopen the state budget to allocate billions of shekels more to defense.

Lapid offered principled backing for strengthening the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) but rejected the idea of funding this through tax increases on the middle class and reservists, which he stated Netanyahu was pursuing. Instead, Lapid insisted that the funds must come from eliminating coalition funding and tens of billions of shekels he claims are allocated to the Haredi community.

This move highlights the significant pressure within the defense establishment for long-term military buildup. It places Netanyahu in a difficult position: he can either secure opposition support for the defense budget at the risk of a direct confrontation and potential collapse of his coalition with his Haredi partners, or he can refuse Lapid's demand, potentially jeopardizing the defense funding.

The article suggests Lapid's stance is less about security needs and more about opposing perceived financial benefits for the Haredi sector, referencing a controversial statement about Haredi children potentially suffering due to their fathers studying Torah instead of working.