Lapid Urges Netanyahu to Fund IDF Without Tax Hikes

Opposition leader Yair Lapid has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve an immediate NIS 11 billion ($3 billion) allocation for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) by utilizing existing budget frameworks, thereby avoiding tax increases. Lapid proposed convening the joint committee for the defense budget to expedite the transfer of these funds, which he stated have been pending for months for urgent defense procurement.

Lapid argues that these essential military budgets can be approved without exceeding the overall budget. He maintains that any additional spending beyond the current budget framework should be funded by canceling coalition funds and funds allocated to draft dodgers. This proposal comes amid ongoing discussions about the defense budget, which has been strained by the war and its associated expenses.

Earlier this week, Lapid and Netanyahu met for a security briefing, attended by the head of the IDF Planning Directorate, who was reportedly present to persuade Lapid to politically support significant budgetary changes. During that meeting, Lapid reiterated his support for increasing IDF funding but insisted that the source should be coalition funds, not tax hikes on the middle class and reservists.

The opposition is currently resisting a government request to amend the 'numerator,' a tool that tracks future government expenditures. Lapid and the opposition contend that legislative changes are unnecessary and advocate for cutting what they deem 'exorbitant' coalition funds to meet the army's needs.

In response, the Likud party stated that Lapid is misleading the public regarding the defense budget. They asserted that state revenues have exceeded expectations due to the government's economic policies, resulting in a lower-than-anticipated deficit. Likud claims that the defense budget can be increased without raising taxes under these circumstances.