Israel’s Parliament has approved a budget of $206 billion, which grants Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a significant political victory. The budget also allocates a substantial amount to military spending, indicating that Israel plans to maintain a state of readiness for a prolonged period. With sufficient support of 66 votes to 52, the budget aims to strengthen Netanyahu’s power amid criticism and legal challenges. Failure to approve the budget would have resulted in the dissolution of Parliament and early elections, potentially unfavorable to Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition.

The approval of the budget enhances Netanyahu’s ability to prioritize both domestic and international agendas, making it more challenging for disgruntled parties within his coalition to pose a threat. Michael Koplow, an analyst, notes that this could lead to intensified extreme right-wing policies or a push towards a Saudi normalization deal, depending on Netanyahu’s calculations.

The vote has provoked protests from demonstrators demanding faster negotiations for hostages held in Gaza and raised concerns over stalled cease-fire talks with Hamas. Budget cuts to essential services, including healthcare and education, are criticized by opposition leader Yair Lapid.

The budget allocates $29.9 billion to Israel’s defense ministry, emphasizing the ongoing need for significant military spending. The United States has also provided financial support to Israel through weapons sales, including $12 billion worth over the coming decade.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/world/middleeast/israel-budget-netanyahu.html