Lapid Agrees to Back Defense Budget Hike if Funds Diverted from Haredi Allocations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with opposition leader Yair Lapid to request support for a budget amendment that would allocate tens of billions of shekels in additional funding to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The meeting, which reportedly included the head of the IDF Planning Directorate, took place during a regular security briefing.

The government aims to revise the 2026 budget to increase military financing due to escalating war-related expenses. Security officials are reportedly seeking to raise the defense budget from 144 billion shekels to 183 billion shekels. As Knesset approval is necessary and Israel is in an election period, Netanyahu is seeking opposition backing.

Lapid stated his support for increased IDF funding but opposed raising taxes on the middle class and reservists. "Instead, include in the proposal the cancellation of corrupt coalition payments and tens of billions of shekels that you are currently directing to fund ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers, and we will support this proposal in the Knesset," Lapid was quoted as saying by N12.

Lapid's proposal suggests reallocating funds designated for the ultra-Orthodox community, which he characterized as supporting draft dodgers, to cover the defense budget increase. This approach aims to avoid burdening the general population and reservists while securing the necessary funds for the military.