Knesset

Amir Ohana, the Speaker of the Knesset, decided last week that discussions could now be held in the Knesset without any limitation on their subject matter. 

The updated budget, which passed in the plenum by a margin of 53–45, must still pass its final votes before the end of March.

In a closed discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the defense establishment has increased its demands to NIS 177 billion, with the possibility that the war with Iran will take longer.

As Israel continues to face war, the government's focus on divisive legislation is distracting from critical wartime priorities and risking further division within the country.

Both coalition and opposition lawmakers had called to put political disputes aside and focus on unity at the start of the war.

The funds were to be used for classified equipment, which the government cited as an “urgent and immediate need” to provide an operational response to the ongoing war.

The Netanyahu coalition has delayed the haredi draft bill, revealing political strategy over genuine reform as elections near.

The survey found that after an initial symbolic boost at the start of the campaign, the coalition lost that gain and fell back to 50 Knesset seats.

As chair of the committee that oversees key defense issues, Bismuth expressed certainty about Israel’s military capabilities against Hezbollah, which joined Iran in the ongoing war.

Coalition funds are part of the national budget and are determined during coalition negotiations after elections when forming a government.