The Israeli Parliament adopts a massive increase in defense budget.

The Israeli Parliament approved the 2026 budget on Monday, March 30, which significantly increases resources allocated to defense, as the country is engaged in a conflict on multiple fronts.

Israel has launched new “large-scale” strikes against Iran, claiming to have killed a top Iranian security official and a Basij commander. They also struck Southern Beirut and announced the capture of two Hezbollah fighters.

“In the budget update, and in light of the ‘Roaring Lion’ operation, over 30 billion shekels (about 8.3 billion euros) were added to the Defense Ministry budget, bringing it to over 142 billion shekels,” said the Parliament in a statement. The Knesset members approved the budget with 62 votes for and 55 against.

The total proposed expenditure for 2026 amounts to approximately 850 billion Israeli shekels, around 235 billion euros. Defense spending in the country has been on the rise since the conflict in Gaza started following the unprecedented Hamas attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023. Israel has also been conducting attacks against Iran since February 28 and in Southern Lebanon.

During the debates before the vote, the far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called it a “historic turning point” for Israel, redefining both security and the economy. He stated, “We have the ability to reshape the Middle East. This budget puts the nation in a position to win.”

In contrast, the main opposition leader Yair Lapid labeled the budget as “the biggest theft in the state’s history.” He criticized the government for allocating funds for corruption and avoiding military service.

Lapid had previously criticized the government for its handling of the Iran conflict and delays in passing a law to mobilize ultra-Orthodox Jews who are largely exempt from military service.

The Defense spending increase will lead to a 3% reduction in all other ministries, as pointed out by Lapid. However, Netanyahu’s government has approved a significant increase in funds for ultra-Orthodox and settlers to secure their support. Ultra-Orthodox parties will receive over 652 million euros extra for the private schools they control.

This article source is from AFP/VNA/CVN.