Security Official Slams Treasury Over Reported Budget Cuts
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
A senior Israeli security official has denied claims by the Ministry of Finance that urgent security needs necessitate a 2 billion shekel budget cut. The official accused the Treasury of deliberately delaying the transfer of 15 billion shekels already approved for the security sector. The defense budget, which stood at 143 billion shekels in March, could rise to a record 184 billion shekels if all approved funds are disbursed.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A senior security official denied the Treasury's claims about urgent security needs requiring budget cuts.
- The official accused the Treasury of deliberately delaying the transfer of 15 billion shekels already approved for security.
- The Treasury is reportedly preparing a 2 billion shekel cut to the state budget.
- The defense budget could reach a historic high of 184 billion shekels.
- The security official called the Treasury's actions a "spin" to create headlines.
The Israeli Ministry of Finance is reportedly preparing a 2 billion shekel cut to the state budget, citing urgent needs from the security establishment. However, a senior security official has vehemently denied these claims, accusing the Treasury of deliberately withholding funds already approved for the security sector. The official stated that no new or urgent demands have been made by the security apparatus, despite the Treasury's assertion that the cuts are necessary due to pressing security requirements. "There are more and less urgent needs out of the 40 billion shekels approved by the Prime Minister, but no sudden event has occurred that necessitates an exceptional budget cut," the official told Ha'Yom newspaper. He characterized the Treasury's actions as a "spin" aimed at generating headlines. The tension between the two bodies is escalating over delays in transferring already approved funds. The security official pointed to a recent 15 billion shekel allocation approved by the Finance Committee that the Treasury has not yet passed on for joint committee approval. "They committed that the money would arrive within a week, but it's not happening and based on their conduct, it won't," the official accused, emphasizing that the security sector is only awaiting previously approved funds and has requested nothing more. The defense budget stood at 143 billion shekels as of March, with the additional 40 billion shekels intended for equipment and readiness. Of this sum, 15 billion shekels are awaiting final approval, and another 25 billion is slated for transfer in December, though completion within the current timeline is considered unlikely. If all promised funds are eventually transferred, the annual defense budget could reach a historic high of 184 billion shekels, presenting a significant macroeconomic challenge and raising questions about long-term sustainability.
