The budget passed with a vote of 62-55 in a marathon session on Monday, meeting an April 1 deadline to avoid triggering early elections. According to the parliament's spokesperson, sirens warning of missiles launched from Iran toward Jerusalem interrupted the discussions three times, forcing the session to be held in the building's auditorium because it is located closer to a bomb shelter. The $270 billion budget includes a 20% increase for the Ministry of Defense due to the ongoing war against Iran, swelling its allocation to $45 billion and forcing cuts in other government ministries.
Opposition parties slammed the budget for increasing funding to Israel's ultra-Orthodox communities at a time when the country is facing soaring war costs and is still reeling from a two-year war in Gaza. They were especially furious over a last-minute amendment providing an additional $250 million to ultra-Orthodox schools, with anger mounting at the community for its refusal to allow its young men to serve in the military while it is stretched to its breaking point. Military service is mandatory for most Jews.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the budget for taking care of all Israeli citizens without exception. Netanyahu's government is in the final months of its four-year term and is required to hold elections by the end of October. Israeli governments rarely last their full terms, though the budget's passage means Netanyahu, whose popularity has dropped since Hamas' Oct.
7, 2023, attack, is now likely to complete his term. Recent opinion polls in Israel indicate that while Israelis overwhelmingly support the war, Netanyahu and his political coalition don't appear to be benefiting. Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel each day, disrupting the lives of millions of anxious and exhausted voters.
Israel's war with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon also is intensifying, while the disruption of the flow of oil from the Persian Gulf has upended the global economy. The budget is for 2026.