Lapid Urges Netanyahu to Release Defense Budget Funds

Opposition leader Yair Lapid on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene the joint defense budget committee to release 11 billion shekels designated for the Israeli military's immediate needs. Lapid stated that a legal solution exists to fund the IDF's stock without raising taxes or exceeding the budget, criticizing the government for prioritizing "cheap political election stunts" and allocating billions to coalition funds and draft evaders.

Lapid's remarks follow a recent meeting with Netanyahu that reportedly ended in disagreement over the defense budget. Netanyahu had sought Lapid's approval to breach the budget for defense spending, a move requiring opposition consent during an election period. Lapid, while supporting increased funding for the IDF, insisted the money should come from canceling "corrupt coalition funds" and funds allocated to the Haredi sector, rather than from raising taxes on the middle class and reservists.

The Likud party responded by accusing Lapid of misleading the public and making baseless claims. They asserted that state revenues have exceeded expectations, allowing for increased defense spending without tax hikes. The Likud also denied that coalition funds and allocations to the Haredi sector amount to the sums Lapid suggested, accusing him of jeopardizing national security for political gain.

Sources in the Treasury, however, stated that additional funds are not needed before the elections and that 15 billion shekels already approved by the government have been stalled in the Knesset's finance committee for 45 days. They claim the defense establishment has sufficient funds for urgent needs, including Apache helicopter procurement, which is budgeted for the next five years. Conversely, defense officials reported that an urgent deal for 12 Apache helicopters was missed due to the delayed funding.

The current defense budget stands at 143 billion shekels, with a government-approved increase to 158 billion shekels pending Knesset approval. The defense establishment is now requesting a further increase to 183 billion shekels, a decision Netanyahu has yet to make. The original 2026 defense budget was set at 111 billion shekels, but Netanyahu had previously decided to raise it to 143 billion.