Israeli Finance Ministry Denies Budget for Post-Traumatic Care After Three Years of War

After nearly three years of ongoing conflict, the Israeli Finance Ministry announced it lacks the budget to fund post-traumatic care for IDF wounded soldiers. The Rehabilitation Department, responsible for treating physical and psychological injuries among soldiers, warned it is on the verge of collapse. A special committee recommended allocating two billion shekels annually to improve care, but the Finance Ministry rejected the funding just before finalizing the plan.

Currently, there are approximately 90,000 IDF wounded soldiers, with 26,000 recently seeking psychological treatment, marking a nearly 40% increase in casualties. The Finance Ministry shifted responsibility to the Defense Ministry, urging it to find budget efficiencies. Conversely, the Defense Ministry stated that after three years of war, it does not have the funds to fully address the issue.

This budgetary dispute has persisted for years, even before the war, leaving post-traumatic soldiers without adequate support despite their sacrifices. The Finance Ministry claims it has allocated unprecedented budgets to the Defense Ministry and is eager to implement the committee's recommendations, but accuses the Defense Ministry of resisting progress. Meanwhile, the Defense Ministry accuses the Finance Ministry of obstructing the implementation and warns that delays could cause the rehabilitation system to collapse. They emphasize that fulfilling these recommendations is a national obligation to the wounded soldiers who paid a heavy price in body and mind.