Netanyahu Faces Coalition Crisis Amid Defense Budget Dispute

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security discussion with opposition leader Yair Lapid, a move seen as an attempt to secure support for a significant defense budget increase. Netanyahu, accompanied by IDF officers and National Security Council officials, argued for an additional NIS 40 billion (approximately $11 billion) to bolster the defense system, bringing the initial budget to NIS 183 billion. The defense establishment has repeatedly warned of equipment shortages and personnel deficits.

Netanyahu's decision to approach Lapid is interpreted as a political maneuver. By presenting the defense budget, Netanyahu aimed to either gain opposition backing or, if Lapid refused, to accuse him of jeopardizing national security for political reasons. However, Lapid did not fall into the perceived trap. He agreed to support the funding increase but insisted the source should not be higher taxes on the middle class and reservists. Lapid proposed canceling "corrupt coalition funds" and funds allocated to the Haredi sector, suggesting these could finance the defense budget.

Adding to Netanyahu's political challenges, he reportedly fears he has lost his Knesset majority, with potential defections from within his own Likud party and some Haredi parties. This concern is cited as the reason he has not yet brought the State Comptroller election to a vote, despite a High Court ruling. The article suggests that some Likud members, disappointed by primary results, might vote against Netanyahu as a form of revenge.

Following Lapid's response, the Likud party accused him of misleading the public, claiming that increased state revenues and a lower-than-expected deficit allow for a defense budget increase without raising taxes. They also refuted Lapid's claims about coalition funds and Haredi budgets, stating that current allocations are unprecedentedly low. The article concludes by questioning why Netanyahu is only now considering the opposition's stance and urges him to bring his proposal to the Knesset for a vote.