Budget

Israel's government risks unity by advancing divisive laws amid ongoing war with Iran - editorial

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.

A man brandish Israeli flags following an Iranian strike in Givatayim, in the center of Israel on March 6, 2026.
 The Knesset building, home of Israel's legislature, in Jerusalem, on November 14, 2022 (Illustrative).

Gov't adds NIS 2.6 billion to defense, raising state budget by NIS 32 billion due to war

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at cabinet meeting to vote on 2026 budget, December 5, 2025.

Bank of Israel warns budget could worsen deficit, debt ratio

Prime Minister Benjamin convenes a government cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, October 26, 2025.

Gov't approves new defense budget during war, NIS 5b. allocation to haredim, settlements


Netanyahu, Smotrich to 'set aside' haredi draft law, approve billions in defense funding for war

“The costly campaign requires a special budget with the addition of tens of billions of shekels for the war effort,” Netanyahu said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R), Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

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Knesset votes to split Arrangements Bill amid haredi parties' threats over state budget

The two parties threatened to vote against the coalition amid disagreements over the controversial haredi draft bill being advanced in the Knesset.

MK's Moshe Gafni and Yitzchak Goldknopf seen during a vote on the state budget at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, January 28, 2026.

US President Trump signs budget with $4 billion for Israel, ban on UNRWA funding

The measure includes provisions restricting US funding to several international institutions. It bars financial support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees,

US President Donald Trump looks on as he signs executive orders and proclamations in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, DC, US, May 5, 2025

Israel's budget deadline: What happens if Knesset cannot agree in time? - explainer

By law, failure to pass the budget by March 31 leads to an automatic collapse of the government and snap elections within about 90 days.

 The Knesset building, home of Israel's legislature, in Jerusalem, on November 14, 2022 (Illustrative).

Knesset advances 2026 state budget in first reading amid coalition crisis over haredi draft

The Degel Hatorah faction within United Torah Judaism received a green light from spiritual leader Rabbi Dov Lando to vote in favor of the state budget, Lando's office said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen after the vote on the state budget at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, January 28, 2026.

Netanyahu convenes emergency meeting as haredi parties threaten to block state budget vote

Both haredi parties have threatened to withhold support for the state budget unless agreements are reached on the draft law to avoid conscription.

 Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as lawmakers gather at the Knesset plenum to vote on a bill that would limit some Supreme Court power, in Jerusalem July 24, 2023.

Knesset to vote on first reading of 2026 state budget, amid haredi parties' threats

If the state budget is not approved in all three readings by the end of March, when the fiscal year closes, the Knesset will automatically dissolve, and elections will be called.

 The Knesset building, home of Israel's legislature, in Jerusalem, on November 14, 2022 (Illustrative).

Government submits 2026 budget to Knesset, Smotrich vows passage despite rifts

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that the government was "determined to pass it [the state budget] on first reading,” during a press conference at the Knesset on Monday.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich after a press conference at the ministry, December 4, 2025; illustrative.

Gov’t faces one-week deadline to pass first reading of state budget amid haredi draft bill threats

A first reading of the budget must be approved for the state to approve it in March. 

THE KNESSET during a meeting on December 24, 2025.