Budget

Netanyahu's coalition moves to fast-track controversial laws ahead of upcoming Knesset dissolution

The tensions come after the crisis in Netanyahu’s coalition with the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties over the controversial conscription law.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attend a discussion at the plenum in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, July 23, 2025.
New Israeli Shekel banknotes are seen in this picture illustration.

Israel’s 'bloated, unstable' gov't harms public service, wastes millions each year, report finds

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar holds up a copy of The New York Times as he speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters on in New York City on August 5, 2025.

Israel just quadrupled its PR budget to $730M, experts claim it won’t work

Ultra-Orthodox men block a road during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with the IDF draft, in Jerusalem, in February.

While IDF soldiers fight, Israel's government rewards draft dodgers - opinion


Protesters block Jerusalem roads as Knesset passes 2025 budget, nine arrested

Protesters blocked multiple entrances to the Knesset while a vote was held on the 2025 budget, as police attempted to disperse them.

 Police outside the Knesset in Jerusalem forcefully trying to remove the protestors, March 25, 2025.

Israeli government approves 2025 budget in Knesset, passing major hurdle

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich: budget for war and reservists • Yair Lapid: Middle class is tired of being exploited

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks in the Knesset plenum, in Jerusalem, March 25, 2025

Can Israel’s economy withstand a second round of war, judicial reform, and soaring debt? - analysis

Israel's workforce is spread thin from war, extensive support to citizens, and high cost of living. Will the Israeli economy survive?

An electronic board displaying market data is seen at the entrance of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, in Tel Aviv, Israel

Knesset set for final 2025 budget voting overnight

The Knesset will debate the state budget overnight as haredi draft demands add tension; final votes are set for Tuesday after months of political maneuvering.

 The Finance Ministry offices are seen on May 14, 2023

Cuts to the National Authority for Community Safety will harm communities - opinion

We call on the National Security Ministry to immediately halt these huge cuts, will effectively lead to the cessation of the authority’s activity in all Israeli cities and will harm communities.

 ISRAELI ARABS protest against the violence within their communities, outside the Knesset, in November, in 2024.

Israelis didn't question attacking Gaza on Oct. 7, they are now - editorial

On October 7, no one questioned Netanyahu’s reasons for going to war. Now, many do – undermining the sense of national purpose and solidarity that was once so clear.

Israelis attend a protest march against the decision of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fire head of Shin Bat Ronen Bar, at the entrance to Jerusalem, March 19, 2025.

First budget bills expected to pass into law overnight

The bills were expected to pass with a comfortable majority, following the return of MK Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party to the government.

 Finance Minister and Head of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, February 3, 2025.

Knesset tensions rise as opposition seeks to block budget cuts

Israel’s 2025 budget faces opposition pushback over proposed spending cuts, potentially delaying its approval ahead of the March 31 deadline.

 The Finance Committee meets in the Knesset, June 2021

Coalition struggling to muster majority to pass 2025 budget, sources say

The bill is currently being prepared in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee but is unlikely to pass by the end of the month.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in Jerusalem, September 27, 2023

NIS 1b. for yeshivot inserted into budget base, haredi parties say

The decision means that the funds will no longer be labeled as “coalition funds”.

 HOUSING MINISTER Yitzhak Goldknopf, United Torah Judaism’s leader, in the Knesset last month. He turned to his Jewish heritage and instincts regarding the plight of the hostages, notes the writer.