Netanyahu Seeks Defense Budget Boost; Lapid Demands No Tax Hikes
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Prime Minister Netanyahu requested to increase the defense budget during a security meeting with opposition leader Lapid. Lapid supported the increase but demanded funding not come from tax hikes, proposing cuts to coalition funds and Haredi budgets instead. Likud rejected Lapid's conditions, citing strong state revenues.
The story in 4 lines · by baba
- Netanyahu wants to increase defense budget, Lapid agrees but opposes tax hikes.
- Lapid suggests funding from coalition funds and Haredi draft evasion budgets.
- Likud claims state revenues are high, allowing budget increase without tax hikes.
- Both sides accuse each other of political maneuvering and endangering security.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with opposition leader Yair Lapid for a security briefing, during which Netanyahu requested to amend the budget law to allocate additional funds to the defense system. Lapid expressed support for strengthening the IDF but insisted that the funding should not come from raising taxes on the middle class and reservists.
Instead, Lapid proposed that the additional funds be sourced from the cancellation of coalition funds and from budgets he claims are used to finance draft evasion by the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community. "Include in the proposal the cancellation of corrupt coalition funds and the tens of billions of shekels you are currently transferring to finance Haredi draft evasion, and we will support the proposal in the Knesset," Lapid stated.
The Likud party rejected Lapid's claims, asserting that increasing the defense budget does not necessitate tax hikes. They argued that state revenues have exceeded expectations due to the government's economic policies, resulting in a lower-than-expected deficit. According to Likud, these circumstances allow for additional defense funding without raising taxes.
Likud also disputed Lapid's figures regarding coalition funds and budgets allocated to the Haredi sector, claiming the amounts are significantly lower than stated. The party accused Lapid of "cheap political considerations" and abandoning Israel's security. Lapid's office responded by accusing the Likud of lying and abandoning national security, reiterating that he supports the funding increase but insists it should not burden working citizens and reservists.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 5Right 3Haredi 2Arab 1Other 2
