not everywhere· Security· Updated 20:47

Israel Approves NIS 1 Billion Transfer to Fund Apache Helicopter Purchase

The Israeli government has approved a NIS 1 billion (over $300 million) deal to purchase 12 advanced AH-64E Apache Echo attack helicopters from Boeing. The decision, finalized via a telephone vote, follows intense budget disputes between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Finance. Deliveries of the new combat aircraft are scheduled to begin in the early 2030s.

20 newsrooms · 5 languages · since 08:59

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What happened

01The Israeli government approved a NIS 1 billion deal to purchase 12 advanced Boeing AH-64E Apache Echo attack helicopters.
02Funding for the helicopters will be diverted from a five-year economic and social development plan for the Arab sector.
03The budget cuts to the Arab community's plan will total 169 million shekels in 2027, 342 million in 2028, and 453 million in 2029.
04Deliveries of the new Apache helicopters from the United States are scheduled to begin in the early 2030s.
05Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich opposed the helicopter purchase, arguing that advanced drones could fulfill the same operational role.
06Defense Minister Israel Katz hailed the acquisition as a critical step to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Israel Defense Forces.
07The Joint List condemned the decision, accusing the government of looting public funds for war at the expense of the Arab community.

To finance the urgent acquisition, the government will divert funds from a five-year economic and social development plan for the Arab sector. The reallocated funds will be spread from 2026 to 2029, with cuts to the Arab community's development program amounting to 169 million shekels in 2027, 342 million in 2028, and 453 million in 2029.

The deal was finalized after the Ministry of Defense negotiated several deferrals with the United States administration due to Israel's budgetary constraints. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich opposed the purchase, arguing that advanced drones could fulfill the helicopters' role, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on the acquisition. Defense Minister Israel Katz called the purchase a critical step for the operational capabilities of the Israel Defense Forces.

The Joint List, an Arab political alliance in Israel, strongly condemned the decision. The alliance accused the government of looting public funds for war and armament instead of investing in the welfare and personal security of its citizens, warning that the cuts will exacerbate the suffering of an already neglected Arab community.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 14 newsrooms. Updated 18:37