Israel Approves $700 Million Budget Cut for Defense Purchases
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
The Israeli government approved a 2.6 billion shekel budget cut across civilian ministries for defense purchases, in addition to a prior approval for Apache helicopters. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich proposed a 4.9% cut from each ministry's 2026 budget, a decision not attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The move faces scrutiny due to its timing during an election period, with warnings that defense spending could impact civilian services.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's government approved a 2.6 billion shekel budget cut for defense procurement.
- The funds will be transferred from civilian ministries to the Ministry of Defense.
- Each ministry will face a 4.9% budget reduction for the year 2026.
- The decision follows a prior approval for the purchase of 12 Apache helicopters.
- The Finance Ministry's legal advisor noted the sensitivity of the decision during elections.
- Sources warned that defense budget increases could negatively affect civilians.
The Israeli government on Sunday approved an additional transfer of 2.6 billion shekels (approximately $700 million) from civilian ministries to the Ministry of Defense for unspecified defense procurement. This comes after a budget approval last week for the purchase of 12 Apache helicopters. According to a proposal submitted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, each government ministry will face a 4.9% cut from its annual budget for 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend the meeting where the decision was made. The legal advisor to the Finance Ministry, Dudi Kopel, noted in an attached opinion that delaying budget approvals until after a new government is formed could harm necessary security responses. Kopel also pointed out the sensitivity of such decisions during an election period, emphasizing the need for restraint.
The explanatory notes highlight that this is a one-time allocation for 2026, not intended to set long-term policy or significantly bind the next government's discretion. Sources within the Finance Ministry stated that the decision involved an equal, across-the-board cut for all ministries. These sources also warned that "enormous budget additions to the defense system will come at the expense of civilians."
Last week, the government had already approved, via urgent phone poll, the transfer of hundreds of millions of shekels originally intended for the Arab community's five-year plan to fund the Ministry of Defense's purchase of 12 Apache helicopters. That proposal, also from Smotrich, allocated hundreds of millions for 2027-2029, citing an "urgent need to advance defense procurement."
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