Gov’t approves NIS 2.5 billion for defense, slashing ministry budgets ahead of elections

According to the announcement, funds will be pulled from government ministries' budgets, resulting in a 4.9% cut for each ministry.

The government approved on Sunday the allocation of NIS 2.5 billion for "urgent defense procurement," to be funded through across-the-board cuts to government ministries’ budgets, less than two weeks before the October 27 elections.

The funds will be allocated through across-the-board cuts of 4.9 percent to government ministries’ budgets, rather than coalition funds.

The cuts will affect key ministries such as the education, health, welfare and social affairs ministries, the proposal shows. 
A legal opinion attached to the government proposal warned of the implications of the cuts to government ministries and noted the need for the government to exercise restraint in making decisions during the election period.

The legal opinion also raised concerns that approving the funds so close to the elections could create an irreversible situation for the incoming government and risk prioritizing party interests over the public interest.

However, the document also acknowledged the need for the defense procurement, stating that it was required urgently.

Reason for urgency classified, will be presented to the Ministerial Committee on Procurement

The reasons for the urgency of the classified procurement, as well as the details of the security needs, will be presented as part of the classified proposals submitted to the Ministerial Committee on Procurement, the document added.

The government's decision on the funds comes after an additional NIS 3.5 billion was approved on Wednesday for further urgent defense procurement, including a roughly NIS 1 billion deal to purchase Apache helicopters.

The Finance Ministry told The Jerusalem Post that close to NIS 1 billion used for the Apache helicopter purchase would be diverted from funds earmarked for a five-year plan to develop Israel’s Arab sector. The remaining NIS 68 million would come from the 2026 state budget.

Lapid criticizes decision to cut government ministries

Opposition leader Yair Lapid on Sunday sharply criticized the defense procurement being funded by making cuts to government ministries.

"Defense procurement is essential, but it can be funded without cutting money for the poor or for our children’s education," he stated.

"There are billions of shekels sitting in coalition funds. Instead of the money going to the corrupt, draft dodgers, and deserters, it could be used to buy Apache helicopters."

"The cuts to the welfare and education budgets are yet another crime by the government against the productive, serving public," Lapid added.

MK Oded Forer (Yisrael Beytenu) accused the government of prioritizing political interests ahead of the elections.

“The Israeli government continues, even in its final days, to put political interests above the public interest," he stated.

"It is cutting the budget for the rehabilitation of the North, as well as health and welfare services in the periphery."

“But there is always money for draft dodgers and yeshivas. Netanyahu and [Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich will not touch their funding."

“Instead of harming essential services for Israeli citizens, it is time to cut the coalition funds that finance draft evasion and buy political loyalty," Forer added.