Trending Now - Netanyahu and Smotrich Prioritize Budget Approval Over Draft Exemption
WHO:
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett
Likud MK Yuli Edelstein
Degel HaTorah MK Yitzhak Pindrus
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich
Israeli government
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
WHAT:
The government authorized over NIS 5 billion ($1.6 billion) in discretionary funds for Haredi institutions, West Bank settlements, and other party priorities in the 2026 state budget.
The government voted overnight to add NIS 28 billion ($9 billion) to the NIS 112 billion ($34 billion) defense budget.
The state budget passed its first reading in January 2026 and needs to pass its second and third readings by March 31st, 2026.
Netanyahu shelved the contentious haredi draft exemption bill.
The government will approve an updated state budget that includes billions of shekels in defense funding.
The government plans to allocate over NIS 5 billion in coalition funds toward the 2026 state budget.
Smotrich stated that advancements on the haredi draft bill and other reforms will be set aside during the war.
WHERE:
Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem
WHEN:
The announcement was made on Tuesday evening, March 10th, 2026.
The meeting at the Knesset took place on February 23rd, 2026.
WHY:
Netanyahu stated, “There was no question — we had to go to war,” referring to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Smotrich emphasized the need to focus on passing the budget for the security of the state and the welfare of its residents.
The decision to shelve the draft bill is due to the ongoing war with Iran, referred to as Operation Roaring Lion.
Netanyahu stated that the war requires tens of billions of shekels for defense, necessitating a special budget.
Smotrich emphasized that “War is a time for unity and national responsibility.”
HOW:
The government is putting aside the enlistment law and several reforms that have not gained wide support during wartime.
The government will fund the defense budget and war effort through a 3 percent across-the-board cut to other ministries.
(UPDATED March 11, 2026 17:18 UTC)
In a significant move, the Israeli government has authorized over 5 billion shekels, or about 1.6 billion dollars, in discretionary funds aimed at Haredi institutions, West Bank settlements, and other party priorities as part of the 2026 state budget. This decision comes alongside a vote to increase the defense budget by 28 billion shekels, totaling 112 billion shekels, amid ongoing tensions with Iran, as Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized the necessity of preparing for war. To facilitate these changes, the government is temporarily setting aside the enlistment law and various reforms that have not garnered broad support during this wartime period.
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(UPDATED March 11, 2026 11:13 UTC)
In a significant move, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced on Tuesday evening that the Israeli government has shelved the contentious haredi draft exemption bill due to the ongoing war with Iran, known as Operation Roaring Lion. During the meeting at the Knesset, Netanyahu revealed plans to approve an updated state budget that allocates billions of shekels for defense, while Finance Minister Smotrich noted that advancements on the draft bill and other reforms will be put on hold during the conflict. To fund this defense budget and war effort, the government will implement a three percent cut across other ministries.