The special cabinet meeting on the state budget for 2024 will be held tomorrow (Sunday), after being postponed from last Thursday. The upcoming budget is considered one of the most important, dramatic and fateful that the State of Israel has known, mainly due to the large expenses of the war and the necessary adjustments that must be made as a result. It should be noted that even before the war, the cost of living in Israel and housing prices weighed heavily on citizens, now the situation may get even worse.
Finance plan for the 2024 budget, photo: Haim Tzach/GPO
The focus of the budget will be on two main areas – security and health. According to finance officials, the Defense Ministry is demanding a huge additional NIS 220 billion over four years. In effect, this is a doubling of the defense budget in about two and a half years. Smotrich and Netanyahu do not reject the demand, but are interested in conducting comprehensive examinations of the issue before approving such a budget. One of the ideas raised in the talks between the two is the establishment of a public committee to examine the defense budget in accordance with events since October 7.
Such a committee will examine where the money should go. Whether for more planes, armaments, infantry brigades, Military Intelligence, etc. The question will also arise whether, in accordance with events, there is no need to change the perception of security and the budget. Of course, the question of where the money will come from will also be thoroughly examined. Netanyahu wants to reach understandings but claims that it is now difficult to sign a long-standing plan without a thorough examination.
Gallant. The Defense Ministry wants to double the budget for the war, photo: Ariel Hermony, Ministry of Defense
On the issue of health, there is a dispute between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance. The Finance Ministry claims that it intends to raise the budget, especially where necessary, such as allocating an additional NIS 300 billion to the mental health budget, but at the same time demanding that the Ministry of Health increase efficiency in the amount of NIS 300 million. The Health Ministry says in response that a NIS <> million cut will make it very difficult for them to function.
Two other issues that have made headlines in recent weeks are the closure of unnecessary ministries and cuts in coalition funds. As first reported by Israel Hayom on Friday, the finance minister intends to appoint a committee to examine the issue of closing the ministries. According to the plan, the committee will examine the need for ministries, including the advantages, disadvantages, and auxiliary units in each ministry, and will recommend how to act in the matter ahead of the next budget.
Ministry of Health, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
On the issue of coalition funds, the Ministry of Finance plans to cut two and a half billion shekels out of six billion shekels, but there too it is necessary to dive into the details, since there are quite a few budgets earmarked for health, the police, and education – defined as coalition funds but are important and vital funds.
All government ministries are expected to be affected by the cuts. For example, the Ministry of Culture and Sport will be cut by NIS 500 million. Even small budgets will be cut, such as the budget earmarked for revelry in Meron, which will be cut in half.
Minister Miki Zohar. A significant cut in his office, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Those close to the finance minister say that it is very important for him to come to the meeting when the professional side of the ministry supports his plan, and that, they claim, is happening. Members of the state camp have not yet decided how they will vote on the budget and are waiting to hear the details at the cabinet meeting.
Recall that the state budget must be placed on the Knesset table by 20.1 and passed in three readings by 19.2
Health Minister Uriel Bosso: "The health system is a central part of the combat system, similar to the defense system. In order to meet the challenges posed by the war for the coming years, the health system must receive a very significant budget increase. This is the order of the day and the necessary step to protect public health."
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