Netanyahu's Likud Slams Lapid Over Security Budget Claims

The Likud party launched a sharp attack on opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday, accusing him of misleading the public regarding the defense budget and its implications. Lapid had reportedly raised concerns about increasing the defense budget and its potential impact on the public.

Likud dismissed Lapid's claims as "baseless and false," asserting that the defense budget can be increased without raising taxes. The party cited state revenue and deficit data, arguing that government economic policies have led to higher-than-expected revenues and a lower-than-expected deficit, creating room for defense spending hikes without tax increases.

Furthermore, Likud refuted Lapid's statements concerning coalition funds and budgets allocated to the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) public. The party stated that the sums Lapid mentioned do not exist and are nowhere near the actual amounts allocated for coalition funds and the Haredi sector.

Beyond refuting the economic arguments, Likud escalated to a personal and political attack, linking Lapid's stance on the budget to national security. The party accused Lapid of "abandoning the security of the State of Israel for cheap political considerations," suggesting his statements were driven by political motives.