The NIS 30.3 billion war budget was approved by the government. A short time ago, the government approved the proposed budget for 2023 brought by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The proposal included amending the budget and adding tens of billions for security and civilian needs.
"This war budget joins the significant steps we took immediately at the beginning of the war," Smotrich said. "In this budget, we continue to envelop the survivors and evacuees and the entire economy, businesses, the self-employed, all citizens of Israel. Together, we are rebuilding a sense that there is a country to rely on in times of need."
"Our attitude should be supportive and reinforcing." Sderot children evacuated with "Hibuki" dolls at the Grand Court Hotel in Jerusalem, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The budget includes an additional NIS 17 billion for military war expenses and NIS 13.3 billion for civilian war expenses. It also includes NIS 3.5 billion for budgeting evacuees in hotels. An additional NIS <> billion was transferred as an addition to the Ministry of National Security for the purpose of establishing and arming hundreds of alert squads throughout the country, as well as arming and equipping the police.
An additional NIS 1 billion was transferred to the Ministry of Social Affairs and the National Insurance Institute, and more than NIS 1 billion in cash added to the health system. One billion shekels will be transferred to the rehabilitation of the communities in the envelope within the framework of the Takuma Administration, of which six hundred million shekels will be in cash, tens of millions of shekels to strengthen agriculture.
Elon Musk visiting the village of Gaza. One billion shekels will be allocated for the rehabilitation of the envelope, photo: Omer Meron / GPO
Blue and White ministers Benny Gantz, Gideon Saar and Yifat Shasha Biton opposed the budget. Gadi Eisenkot participated only at the beginning of the meeting and left without a vote. Minister Ofir Akunis abstained, and Barkat also announced that he would oppose.
Minister Gideon Sa'ar threatened earlier that he would vote against approving the 2023 budget. According to Sa'ar, at the cabinet meeting, ahead of the approval of the budget framework: "A different proposal could have been brought to this meeting. One that is consistent with the good of the economy, one that transcends the magnitude of the hour, one that reflects the unity of the people. Unfortunately, that's not what happened here tonight, so I will vote against it."
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